Rita.

[On the verandah, listening.] Hush! Be quiet! Let me hear what they are saying!

[Rita rushes back with a piercing shriek, into the room.

Allmers.

[Following her.] What did they say?

Rita.

[Sinking down beside the armchair on the left.] They said: “The crutch is floating!”

Allmers.

[Almost paralysed.] No! No! No!

Rita.