Ritter. [Looking at the tip of his cigar] San Juan is never dead while Mr. Spindler lives. [There is a general laugh.]
Spindler. [Turning to Ritter] Say, that’s pretty good!
Mrs. Fell. Yes, I was afraid he was something of a gay deceiver.
Spindler. [Speaking directly to Mrs. Fell] Only one way to find out. [Mrs. Fell laughs deprecatingly and sweeps the tip of her fan across his nose.]
Mrs. Fell. Naughty boy. [She giggles a little more, then becomes practical.] Well then, I’ll tell you what you may do for me, Mr. Spindler, if you don’t mind. [Jenny appears in the left hallway and Mrs. Ritter gives her an order of some sort, which appears to require a bit of explanation.] Go out to my chauffeur, [She turns him round by the shoulder and they move up towards the center-door.] you’ll probably find him asleep in the car, and tell him I said it’s all right,—he can go along—that Mrs. Pampinelli will take me home in her car.
Spindler. [Hurrying out the right hallway] Righto! [Jenny withdraws.]
Mrs. Fell. [Standing in the center-door and calling after him] Like a good boy. [She turns, to find Mrs. Ritter at her left in the center-door. She takes her arm and they come forward.] Come in here, Paula Ritter, and explain to me why [They stop in the middle of the room, just above the line on which Ritter is standing.] you didn’t tell me my—lover [She peers around in front of Paula’s shoulder at Ritter.] was coming back today?
Mrs. Ritter. [Laughing faintly] My dear, I didn’t know it myself until twenty minutes ago.
Mrs. Fell. [Becoming instantly rigid, and piercing Mrs. Ritter with a look] You don’t mean to tell me he returned unexpectedly?
Mrs. Ritter. He never even sent a wire.