Mrs. Fell. [Directly to Ritter] No, nor half so often as some of the others,—[Turning towards Mrs. Pampinelli] now that you speak of it! [She turns and goes up to the hallway.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. I will admit that Mr. Hossefrosse is a bit unsteady,—but that is due to his weak ankles.
Ritter. What was the star’s unsteadiness due to?
Mrs. Ritter. The rugs!
Ritter. [Looking at her keenly] What?
Mrs. Ritter and Mrs. Pampinelli, together.
Mrs. Ritter. The rugs.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Moving to the center of the room] The rugs!
Mrs. Pampinelli. Those funny rugs—that they have down there. We didn’t use them at the rehearsals,—and, naturally, when it came to the performance,—Paula wasn’t accustomed to them.
Ritter. She was accustomed to rugs at home, wasn’t she?
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Tersely] Well, she wasn’t at home on the stage.