"We have been attending vespers at the Church of St. Charles of
Borromeus," explained Zielinska.
"Don't try to fool me with vespers! The deuce with vespers! Tend to that which gives you your bread!"
"You provide us so generously with it, Mr. Director!" angrily retorted Louise.
"What, I don't pay you? What else do you live on?"
"What do we live on? . . . Certainly not your absurd and merely promised salaries!"
"Oh, and you are also late?" he cried to Janina who was just entering.
"I appear only in the third act, so I still have plenty of time."
"Wicek! go run and get Miss Rosinska. Where is Sophie? Hurry up and begin! May the devil take you all!" shouted Cabinski growing exasperated.
He peered through the slit in the curtain.
"The theater is already filled, by God, and not a soul is, as yet, in the dressing-rooms! Afterwards they complain that I don't pay them! Gentlemen! for God's sake, hurry and get dressed and begin!"