Mrs. Ritter. [Stepping to the table] Thanks. [She looks at Florence, who gives her a withering look over her right shoulder and turns away to the mantelpiece at the left. Then Mrs. Ritter gives her idea of a scornful laugh.] Ha! Ha! Ha!
Ritter. [Sweeping his hand across his brow, groaning, and falling down the stairs, into the right hallway] Oh my God!
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Seeing him fall, and jumping up] Oh, my dear! [Everybody turns.]
Twiller. [Trying to catch him] Hold it! [Spindler rushes past Mrs. Pampinelli and out the center-door into the right hallway. Teddy jumps into a kneeling position on the right partition-seat and looks over the partition. Florence and Mrs. Fell rush up to the center-door and try to see what’s going on, Nelly dodging from one side of Florence to the other, and peering through her lorgnon.] Are you hurt, old man?
Hossefrosse. [Handing his cane and gloves to Spindler] Hold those, please. [Spindler takes them, and Hossefrosse prepares to assist Twiller to lift Ritter from the floor.]
Twiller. Get some water, somebody! [Spindler rushes out the left hallway. Mrs. Pampinelli sweeps up from below the table at the right to the center-door.]
Mrs. Ritter. [Bewildered, in the middle of the room, as Mrs. Pampinelli passes her] What is it, Betty?
Mrs. Pampinelli. Now, don’t get excited, Paula. [Mrs. Ritter steps frantically across to the piano and turns, leaning against it, looking wide-eyed at Nelly Fell.]
Hossefrosse. Lift up his head.
Mrs. Pampinelli. [Looking eagerly out into the right hallway] Is he hurt, boys?