Mrs. Fell. “For you’re a comparatively young woman. So,” I said, “just get through the next few months as undramatically as possible. [Jenny enters in the left hallway and takes empty glasses off.] I know he was your first husband, and all that; but, after all,” I said, “he was only your husband: it isn’t as though you’d lost someone who was very close to you”—[She turns her head and speaks directly to Mrs. Pampinelli.] Like one of your own people, [Turning to Mrs. Ritter, who is standing at her right] or something like that, I mean. “And,” I said, “another thing, darling,—always remember—he’d have very soon put another in your place if it had been you.” [She finishes the remark to Mrs. Pampinelli.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Knowingly, and with conviction] I should say he would.
Mrs. Fell. [Reaching for her hand-bag] And I felt like saying, “And I could give you the names and addresses right now of several that he would have put in your place long ago, only for the law.”
Mrs. Pampinelli. [With a shade of confidence] She must have known it.
Mrs. Fell. [Reflecting the tone] Of course, she knew it. [Florence leaves Teddy, up at the piano, and crosses to Ritter and Twiller, to show them a piece of music. They rise, and she indicates a certain point on the sheet; then she continues down to Spindler, who rises at her approach, and shows it to him.]
Mrs. Ritter. How is she, Nelly?
Mrs. Fell. My dear, she looks a perfect wreck. [Florence sits on the arm of the arm-chair at the left and Spindler resumes the little chair below the left door, and drawing it a bit closer to the arm-chair. He appears to be telling Florence something very interesting.]
Mrs. Ritter. Poor soul.
Mrs. Fell. She says no one will ever know how she feels—about losing that part. And she says she simply cannot wait until tomorrow night, [She turns to Mrs. Pampinelli.] to see Paula’s interpretation of it. [Mrs. Ritter gives an inane little laugh, and Mrs. Fell turns quickly to her.] She’s heard so much about it. [Jenny comes in from the left hallway again with fresh glasses. She sets them down on the hallway table and proceeds to arrange them.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Is she coming to the performance tomorrow night?