Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning and calling after Jenny] In her bureau-basket, Jenny.
Jenny. [Running up the stairs] Yes, mam, I know where they are.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Gathering up the roses from the table] Let me take these flowers out of your way, dear. You’ve been treated abominably. Although your husband’s attitude is entirely consistent with that of the average husband’s, after his wife has distinguished herself. [Ritter makes a little sound of amusement, and she glares at him.] And any observations of Mr. Ritter’s to the contrary, you did distinguish yourself tonight, Paula. [She turns to her right and puts the roses on the piano.]
Ritter. [Sitting away down in the arm-chair, smoking] So did the Cherry Sisters. [Mrs. Ritter weeps again.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning back again from the piano to Mrs. Ritter] We are not talking to you at all, sir. [Mrs. Ritter has a slight coughing spell.]
Mrs. Ritter. Will you get me a drink of water, please?
Mrs. Pampinelli. Certainly, darling, where is it?
Mrs. Ritter. You’ll find it just inside the breakfast-room. [Mrs. Pampinelli sails across the room towards the left door. Just as she is passing back of Ritter’s chair, he turns and looks at her, and the excessive grandeur of her manner causes him to burst out laughing. But she simply freezes him with a look and goes out through the left door. He continues to laugh; and Mrs. Ritter, not having seen the cause of his laughter, stops crying and turns and looks at him, very troubled.] Fred Ritter, you’re acting to me tonight—just like a man that’d be losing his mind! [He looks over at her.] I really thought that was what was the matter with you when I first came in!
Ritter. [Very confidentially] Listen—When I didn’t lose my mind watching that show tonight, I couldn’t go nutty if I tried.
Mrs. Ritter. Well, if anybody else comes here tonight, you just keep that kind of talk to yourself. There were lots of people there that thought it was wonderful. Look at all these flowers.