Madame Pace. Not so old my dear, not so old! And even if you no lika him, he won't make any scandal!

The Mother [jumping up amid the amazement and consternation of the actors who had not been noticing her. THEY move to restrain her ]. You old devil! You murderess!

The Step-Daughter [running over to calm her MOTHER]. Calm yourself, Mother, calm yourself! Please don't …

The Father [going to her also at the same time ]. Calm yourself! Don't get excited! Sit down now!

The Mother. Well then, take that woman away out of my sight!

The Step-Daughter [to MANAGER]. It is impossible for my mother to remain here.

The Father [to MANAGER]. They can't be here together. And for this reason, you see: that woman there was not with us when we came . . . If they are on together, the whole thing is given away inevitably, as you see.

The Manager. It doesn't matter. This is only a first rough sketch – just to get an idea of the various points of the scene, even confusedly . . . [Turning to the MOTHER and leading her to her chair. ] Come along, my dear lady, sit down now, and let's get on with the scene . . .

[Meanwhile, the STEP-DAUGHTER, coming forward again, turns to MADAME PACE.]

The Step-Daughter. Come on, madame, come on!

Madame Pace [offended ]. No, no, grazie. I not do anything witha your mother present.

The Step-Daughter. Nonsense! Introduce this "old signore" who wants to talk nicely to me. [Addressing the COMPANY imperiously. ] We've got to do this scene one way or another, haven't we? Come on! [To MADAME PACE.] You can go!

Madame Pace. Ah yes! I go'way! I go'way! Certainly! [Exits furious. ]

The Step-Daughter [to the FATHER]. Now you make your entry. No, you needn't go over here. Come here. Let's suppose you've already come in. Like that, yes! I'm here with bowed head, modest like. Come on! Out with your voice! Say "Good morning, Miss" in that peculiar tone, that special tone . . .

The Manager. Excuse me, but are you the manager, or am I? [To the FATHER, who looks undecided and perplexed. ] Get on with it, man! Go down there to the back of the stage. You needn't go off. Then come right forward here.

[The FATHER does as he is told, looking troubled and perplexed at first. But as soon as he begins to move, the reality of the action affects him, and he begins to smile and to be more natural. The ACTORS watch intently. ]

The Manager [sotto voce, quickly to the PROMPTER in his box ]. Ready! Ready? Get ready to write now.

The Father [coming forward and speaking in a different tone ]. Good afternoon, Miss!

The Step-Daughter [head bowed down slightly, with restrained disgust ]. Good afternoon!

The Father [looks under her hat which partly covers her face. Perceiving she is very young, he makes an exclamation, partly of surprise, partly of fear lest he compromise himself in a risky adventure ]. Ah . . . But . . . Ah . . . I say . . . This is not the first time that you have come here, is it?

The Step-Daughter [modestly ]. No sir.

The Father. You've been here before, eh? [Then seeing her nod agreement. ] More than once? [Waits for her to answer, looks under her hat, smiles, and then says. ] Well then, there's no need to be so shy, is there? May I take off your hat?

The Step-Daughter [anticipating him and with veiled disgust ]. No sir . . . I'll do it myself. [Takes it off quickly. ]

[The MOTHER, who watches the progress of the scene with The SON and the other two children who cling to her, is on thorns; and follows with varying expressions of sorrow, indignation, anxiety, and horror the words and actions of the other two. From time to time SHE hides her face in her hands and sobs. ]

The Mother. Oh, my god, my god!

The Father [playing his part with a touch of gallantry ]. Give it to me! I'll put it down. [Takes hat from her hands. ] But a dear little head like yours ought to have a smarter hat. Come and help me choose one from the stock, won't you?

L'Ingénue [interrupting ]. I say . . . Those are our hats you know.

The Manager [furious ]. Silence! Silence! Don't try and be funny, if you please . . . We're playing the scene now I'd have you notice. [To the STEP-DAUGHTER.] Begin again, please!

The Step-Daughter [continuing ]. No thank you, sir.

The Father. Oh, come now. Don't talk like that. You must take it. I shall be upset if you don't. There are some lovely little hats here; and then – Madame will be pleased. She expects it, anyway, you know.

The Step-Daughter. No, no! I couldn't wear it!

The Father. Oh, you're thinking about what they'd say at home if they saw you come in with a new hat? My dear girl, there's always a way round these little matters, you know.

The Step-Daughter [all keyed up ]. No, it's not that – I couldn't wear it because I am . . . As you see . . . You might have noticed . . . [Showing her black dress. ]

The Father. . . . In mourning! Of course: I beg your pardon: I'm frightfully sorry . . .

The Step-Daughter [forcing herself to conquer her indignation and nausea ]. Stop! Stop! It's I who must thank you. There's no need for you to feel mortified or specially sorry. Don't think any more of what I've said. [Tries to smile. ] I must forget that I am dressed so . . .

The Manager [interrupting and turning to the PROMPTER]. Stop a minute! Stop! Don't write that down. Cut out that last bit. [Then to the FATHER and STEP-DAUGHTER.] Fine! It's going fine! [To the FATHER only. ] And now you can go on as we arranged. [To the ACTORS.] Pretty good that scene, where he offers her the hat, eh?

The Step-Daughter. The best's coming now. Why can't we go on?

The Manager. Have a little patience! [To the ACTORS.] Of course, it must be treated rather lightly.

Leading Man. Still, with a bit of go in it!

Leading Lady. Of course! It's easy enough! [To LEADING MAN.] Shall you and I try it now?

Leading Man. Why, yes! I'll prepare my entrance. [Exit in order to make his entrance. ]

The Manager [to LEADING LADY]. See here! The scene between you and Madame Pace is finished. I'll have it written out properly after. You remain here . . . Oh, where are you going?

Leading Lady. One minute. I want to put my hat on again. [Goes over to hat-rack and puts her hat on her head. ]

The Manager. Good! You stay here with your head bowed down a bit.

The Step-Daughter. But she isn't dressed in black.

Leading Lady. But I shall be, and much more effectively than you.

The Manager [to STEP-DAUGHTER]. Be quiet please, and watch! You'll be able to learn something. [Clapping his hands. ] Come on! Come on! Entrance, please! [The door at rear of stage opens, and the LEADING MAN enters with the lively manner of an old gallant. The rendering of the scene by the ACTORS from the very first words is seen to be quite a different thing, though it has not in any way the air of a parody. Naturally, the STEP-DAUGHTER and the FATHER, not being able to recognize themselves in the LEADING LADY and the LEADING MAN, who deliver their words in different tones and with a different psychology, express, sometimes with smiles, sometimes with gestures, the impression they receive. ]