Mrs. Fell. Why, you must go to New York, dear; you can do nothing dramatically here.
Mrs. Ritter. But, I have a husband.
Mrs. Fell. [Very casually] Every married woman has that cross, darling. But you mustn’t let it stand in the way of your career; he would very soon eliminate you, if you stood in the way of his.
Mrs. Ritter. But, I don’t like the thought of breaking up his home, Nelly. [Nelly gives a hard, knowing little laugh.]
Mrs. Fell. Don’t be unnecessarily sacrificial, darling. I made that mistake with my first two husbands; but I was wiser with the third. And I said to him, immediately we returned from the church, I said, “Now, Leonard, you and I have just been made one; and I am that one.” [She touches herself on the breastbone with her forefinger, then touches Paula on the left shoulder.] And it worked out beautifully. So be sensible, darling. [She skips up towards the hallway.] I must run along, Mrs. Pampinelli’s waiting! [She teeters out through the center-door into the right hallway.] Cheerio, Paula darling!
Mrs. Ritter. Good night.
Mrs. Fell. Cheerio! [She giggles and vanishes into the right hallway. Mrs. Ritter sits still for a second, looking from side to side, at nothing, particularly, and presently gets up. The horseshoe of “SUCCESS” over in front of the mantelpiece catches her eye, and she wanders slowly towards it. But the irony of it all overcomes her and she commences to cry again. Ritter appears at the head of the stairs and starts down. She turns and looks at him, as he comes through the center-door.]
Mrs. Ritter. Fred Ritter, those women will never come inside that door again, the way you talked to them. [He moves to the piano and leans against it.]
Ritter. Well, I don’t suppose that’ll make very much difference.
Mrs. Ritter. [Looking straight ahead] Well, it should make a difference.