"How are things going in the hall? Were you at the box office? . . ."
"Nearly all the seats are sold out."
"How is the play taking?"
"Well, very well! . . . I see, Mr. Director that you have replenished the chorus: that charming, new blonde attracts all eyes . . . ."
"Good, good. . . . Hurry there, give me my belly!"
"Mr. Director, please let me have an order for two rubles. I must immediately send for my boots," begged some actor, hastily pulling on his costume.
"After the performance!" answered Cabinski, holding the pillow to his stomach, "tie it fast, Andy!"
They wrapt him about with long strips like a mummy.
"Mr. Director, I need my boots on the stage. . . . I cannot play without them!"
"Go to the devil, my dear sir, and don't disturb me now. . . .
Ring!" he called to the stage-director.