Hossefrosse. [Snapping his head around and shouting at Florence] Well, I don’t want it!
Mrs. Pampinelli. Good!
Hossefrosse. And I see absolutely no occasion for any such talk. [Mrs. Fell drops her bag and reaches for it.]
Florence. You are probably more broad-minded than I. [Nelly Fell utters a piercing little shriek, having almost fallen off the chair in reaching to pick up her bag. Everyone turns and looks, and Teddy laughs, as usual.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. What’s the matter, Nelly?
Mrs. Fell. [Straightening up, with Ritter’s assistance, and laughing] I nearly fell off the chair. [Mrs. Ritter laughs and returns to the center-door and stands.]
Mrs. Pampinelli. Go on, Florence.
Florence. And, really, I don’t think your freedom would be a very good thing for you. You have a form of respectability that requires a certain anchorage in the conventions. But unless you can reconcile yourself in the future to a more literal observance of those conventions, I shall be obliged to insist that you take your freedom.
Mrs. Pampinelli. Look at her, Mr. Hossefrosse.
Hossefrosse. Beg pardon?