Mrs. Miller, in blind admiration of his frenzy: “Yes, that’s just what I said. If some one had beaten the door in at once”—
Mrs. Roberts: “Oh, Edward, dear, let him speak to his wife.” Tearfully: “Think if I were there!”
Roberts, releasing him: “He may speak to his wife all night. But he mustn’t knock the house down.”
Curwen, rushing at the grating: “Caroline! Can you hear me? Are you safe?”
Mrs. Curwen: “Perfectly. I had a little faint when we first stuck”—
Curwen: “Faint? Oh!”
Mrs. Curwen: “But I am all right now.”
Curwen: “Well, that’s right. Don’t be frightened! There’s no occasion for excitement. Keep perfectly calm and collected. It’s the only way—What’s that ringing?” The sound of an electric bell is heard within the elevator. It increases in fury.
Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Miller: “Oh, isn’t it dreadful?”
The Elevator Boy: “It’s somebody on the ground-floor callin’ the elevator!”