Mrs. Pampinelli. No, dear, we’ve just passed that.
Florence. I’ve already said that, Nelly.
Hossefrosse. It’s the next line.
Mrs. Fell. [Vaguely, and looking through her lorgnon and spectacles at the manuscript] Oh, have we passed that!
Mrs. Pampinelli. The next line after the one you just read.
Mrs. Fell. Oh, I see now where we are! The next line after that is, “You’ve all been listening to a lot of damned, cheap gossip.”
Mrs. Pampinelli and Hossefrosse, together.
Mrs. Pampinelli. That’s it.
Hossefrosse. [To Mrs. Pampinelli] That certainly is my Jonah line.
Mrs. Pampinelli. You’ve all been list—[Spindler goes around to the right and sits on the piano-stool, looking near-sightedly at the music.]
Hossefrosse. [Turning to Florence, and assuming his character again] You’ve all been listening to a lot of damned, cheap gossip! [He starts to cross towards the left, passing between the piano and the table, but Mrs. Pampinelli is right in his way again, so he is obliged to stop short and wait.]
Florence. Which should show you that people are talking. [Mrs. Pampinelli turns to see why Hossefrosse is not picking up his line.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Stepping out of his way] I beg your pardon. [She circles down at the left of the table again.]