"Yes, he will shout for everybody. . . . As the matter stands, it is best to announce that there will take place merely a reading of the play."
"You needn't worry about me, I'll learn my role," Majkowska assured him.
"And I also," added Janina.
"I know the ladies always know their parts but the men . . ."
"The men will play their parts well without having to learn them," remarked Wawrzecki. "Don't you know that Glas never studies his roles! A few rehearsals familiarize him with the situations of the play and the prompter does the rest."
"That's why he plays so splendidly!" sneered Glogowski.
"What do you want? He's a good actor and not at all a bad comedian."
"Yes, because he always knows how to improvise some nonsense with which to cover up his bungling."
"Please give me an entirely serious answer. Were those last words of yours only a joke or were they an expression of your wishes and a condition?" Kotlicki again whispered to Janina as a certain idea entered into his head.
"Every variety is good, providing it is not wearisome. Have you heard that before?" answered Janina impatiently.