Mrs. Fell. [Putting the hand-bag down again on the table] As well as lending my moral support.
Ritter. Yes? [Spindler laughs.]
Mrs. Fell. [To Ritter] You bold thing!
Hossefrosse. [Coming into view from the right hallway] Good evening, everybody!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Turning to him, from Mrs. Ritter, with whom she has been discussing the change in the manuscript] Oh, good evening, Mr. Hossefrosse. [They shake hands.]
Mrs. Ritter. Mr. Hossefrosse. [Mrs. Pampinelli comes forward into the room again, bringing the manuscript with her.]
Hossefrosse. Mrs. Ritter—good evening. [Mrs. Ritter asks him if he will have a glass of claret and he says yes, so she proceeds to fill him out one.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. I hope the rest of the people aren’t far behind you.
Hossefrosse. Are we late?
Mrs. Fell. [Waving to him] Hello, Huxley.