Barlow. But, I say, Brad, you don’t—
Yardsley. Howdy do, Mrs. Bradley? Good-afternoon, Miss Andrews. We all seem to be here now, so let’s begin. We’re a half-hour late already.
Barlow. I’m ready, but I want to—
Yardsley. Never mind what you want, Jack. We haven’t time for any more talking. It’ll take us an hour and a half, and we’ve got to hustle. All off stage now except Mrs. Perkins. (All go out; Yardsley rings bell.) Hi, Perkins, that’s your cue!
Perkins. What for?
Yardsley. Oh, hang it!—raise the curtain, will you?
Perkins. With pleasure. As I understand this thing, one bell signifies raise curtain when curtain’s down; drop curtain when curtain is up.
Yardsley. Exactly. You know your part, anyhow. If you remember not to monkey with the curtain except when the bell rings, and then change its condition, no matter what it may be, you can’t go wrong. Now begin. (Bell. Perkins raises curtain.) Now, of course, I’m not supposed to be on the stage, but I’ll stay here and prompt you. Enter Lady Ellen. Come along, Mrs. Perkins. Please begin.
Mrs. Perkins. I thought we’d decided that I was to be sitting here when the curtain went up?
Yardsley. So we did. I’d forgotten that.—We’ll begin all over again. Perkins, drop that curtain. Perkins!