"How glorious! How I long to see them, the dear thousands shouting for Claude. I must go to Adelaide Shiffney. I must catch her before she goes. There can't be two opinions. An act like that is irresistible. Oh!"
She almost rushed out of the box.
In the stalls she came upon Mrs. Shiffney and Jonson Ramer who were standing up ready to go. A noise of departure came up from the hidden orchestra. Voices were shouting behind the scenes. In a moment the atmosphere of the vast theater seemed to have entirely changed. Night and the deadness of slumber seemed falling softly, yet heavily, about it. The musicians were putting their instruments into cases and bags. A black cat stole furtively unseen along a row of stalls, heading away from Charmian.
"So you actually stayed to the end!" Charmian said.
Her eyes were fastened on Mrs. Shiffney.
"Oh, yes. We couldn't tear ourselves away, could we, Mr. Ramer?"
"The last act is the best of all," Mrs. Shiffney said.
"Yes, isn't it?" said Charmian.
There was a slight pause. Then Ramer said: