Ritter. [Casually] Well, if you do, he’ll know how to walk across the stage without tripping every other step.
Mrs. Fell. Who tripped every other step?
Ritter. [Indicating his wife] The weeping-willow there. [Mrs. Ritter begins to weep afresh.]
Mrs. Fell. It’s a wonder to me you’re not afraid to lie so!
Ritter. She tripped when she first came through the door! I was looking right at her.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning to him] She didn’t fall, did she?
Ritter. No, but it looked for a while there as though she were going to. [Mrs. Ritter’s weeping becomes audible again.] I very nearly had heart failure.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Laying her hand on Paula’s shoulder] Don’t mind him, Paula.
Ritter. She tripped when she came on the stage, she tripped when she went off, and she tripped over the rug when she went over to the desk!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [With measured finality] She didn’t trip any oftener than anybody else. [He laughs.]