The stage became deserted. The orchestra was tuning its instruments; "Halt" went for a drink of beer, and the company scattered about the garden. Cabinski, holding his head with both hands, paced up and down the stage like a madman, complaining half in anger, half in commiseration, for his wife was still quietly continuing her spasms.
"Oh what people! What people! What scandals!"
Janina, startled by the brutality of the spectacle she had just witnessed, retreated behind the farthermost scene. She felt that it was now impossible to speak with the director.
"So these are artists! . . . this is the theater!" she was thinking.
The rehearsal, after a short intermission, began anew with
Kaczkowska as the titular heroine.
Majkowska was in a splendid humor, being so successfully rid of her rival.
The director, after his wife's departure, rubbed his hands in glee
and motioned to Topolski. They went out to the buffet for a drink.
Without a doubt he must have made something on his break with
Nicolette.
Stanislawski, the oldest member of the company, walked up and down the dressing-room, spitting with disgust and muttering to Mirowska, who was sitting on a chair with her feet curled up under her.
"Scandals . . . nothing but scandals! . . . how can we expect to have any success! . . ."
Mirowska nodded her assent, smiling faintly and keeping steadily on with the crocheting of a handkerchief.