Mollie. And what’s “A woman of the day?”
Ethel. A woman of the day means a wonder of the time with the general public.
Mollie. “Pyrotechnic blaze of wit.” What’s pyrotechnic?
Ethel. Mollie, I think you will find that pyrotechnic means quick, with flashes of lightning.
Mollie. Then the 8 lines that begin “The astounding infant wonder”—please explain “rôle” and “mise” and “tout ensemble” and “grit.”
Ethel. Well, Mollie, “rôle” means so many different things, but in “The Demon of the Pit” I should think it meant the leading part of the piece, and “mise” means something extra good introduced, and “tout” means to seek for applause, but “ensemble” means the whole of the parts taken together, and grit means something good.
Mollie. “And the Goblins prostrate tumble.” What’s “prostrate”?
Ethel. I believe prostrate means to be cast down and unhappy.
Mollie. “And his accents shake a bit.” What are “accents”?
Ethel. To accent is to lay stress upon a word.