Hossefrosse. [Continuing over towards the mantelpiece] My fault. One or two old women, perhaps.
Florence. Will it confine itself to those?
Hossefrosse. [Turning at the mantelpiece and coming back to the middle of the room] Well, I can’t control that.
Florence. Have you tried?
Hossefrosse. [Whirling upon her, and literally shouting] No!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Standing at the right of the table below the piano] Excellent.
Hossefrosse. [Turning and bowing briefly to her] Thank you very much. [Resuming the scene with Florence] And I don’t intend to. People will always talk; it may as well be at my expense as anybody else’s.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Leaning towards him across the table, and speaking with poisonous sweetness] Anybody’s else, dear.
Hossefrosse. Beg pardon?
Mrs. Pampinelli. Would you say anybody’s else; it sounds better.