MRS. PAMPINELLI. No one is asking you to be in half-a-dozen places at the same time! You’ve simply been asked to attend to your cues; and you’ve missed every one you’ve had!
MRS. FELL and HOSSEFROSSE, together. Shush!
SPINDLER. You told me to take care of Teddy, didn’t you?
MRS. PAMPINELLI. I told you to take him to the door! I _didn’t_ say to take him all the way to the drug store!
SPINDLER. Did you want me to let the man wander off somewhere by himself, and maybe die!
MRS. FELL. [_Waving her manuscript at them_] Shus--sh!
SPINDLER. Just for the sake of not missing a cue!
MRS. PAMPINELLI. [_With bitter amusement_] There is very little danger of his dying! And even if he did die, your duty is here! [_She points to the floor with an imperative gesture. The right door is quietly pushed open, and Twiller, with one-half of his mustache gone, pokes his head out._]
TWILLER. Shush! [_He glances from one side to the other, withdraws his head, and quietly closes the door. Spindler crosses below Mrs. Pampinelli, to the left, then turns and looks at her angrily._]
MRS. FELL. [_Turning to Hossefrosse_] What did I tell you! Making more noise out here than they are out there!
MRS. PAMPINELLI. [_Still holding her gesture, but following Spindler with her eyes_] Performances are never interrupted simply because one of the artists happens to die! If you were a professional you’d know that; but you’re not! [_She turns away from him, towards the right, and, simultaneously, the left door is opened, almost striking her. She raises her arm to protect herself. Mrs. Ritter is standing in the doorway._]
MRS. RITTER. [_Speaking to Twiller, who is still beyond the flats_] Look and see. [_The telephone-arrangement in Spindler’s hands suddenly rings wildly._]
MRS. PAMPINELLI. [_Turning to him frantically_] Oh, stop that thing! [_Mrs. Ritter glances furtively over her left shoulder at Mrs. Pampinelli. Mrs. Fell comes rushing over, motioning to Spindler to stop the bell._]
SPINDLER. [_Struggling with the bell_] I can’t stop it! [_Mrs. Ritter hastily steps back through the door and pulls it to after her._]
MRS. PAMPINELLI. Well, then, take it outside, where they can’t hear it! [_Spindler scrambles towards the back and out of sight at the left. Mrs. Pampinelli starts back towards the right._]