SIRELLI. But if I remember rightly she has you there! Notice, she doesn't accept the situation. She says she is resigned to it. That's different! No, I tell you, there is still something funny about this business. What do you say, Laudisi? LAUDISI. Why, I say nothing, nothing at all! THE BUTLER (_appearing at the door and visibly excited_). Beg pardon, Signora Frola is here again! AMALIA (_with a start_). Oh dear me, again? Do you suppose she'll be pestering us all the time now? SIGNORA SIRELLI. I understand how you feel now that you know she's a lunatic. SIGNORA CINI. My, my, what do you suppose she is going to say now? SIRELLI. For my part I'd really like to hear what she's got to say. DINA. Oh yes, mamma, don't be afraid! Ponza said she was quite harmless. Let's have her come in. AGAZZI. Of course, we can't send her away. Let's have her come in; and, if she makes any trouble, why ... (_Turning to the butler_): Show her in. (_The butler bows and withdraws_). AMALIA. You people stand by me, please! Why, I don't know what I am ever going to say to her now! (_Signora Frola appears at the door. Amalia rises and steps forward to welcome her. The others look on in astonished silence_). SIGNORA FROLA. May I please...? AMALIA. Do come in, Signora Frola, do come in! You know all these ladies. They were here when you came before. SIGNORA FROLA (_with an expression of sadness on her features, but still smiling gently_). How you all look at me--and even you, Signora Agazzi! I am sure you think I am a lunatic, don't you! AMALIA. My dear Signora Frola, what in the world are you talking about? SIGNORA FROLA. But I am sure you will forgive me if I disturb you for a moment. (_Bitterly_): Oh, my dear Signora Agazzi, I wish I had left things as they were. It was hard to feel that I had been impolite to you by not answering the bell when you called that first time; but I could never have supposed that you would come back and force me to call upon you. I could foresee the consequences of such a visit from the very first. AMALIA. Why, not at all, not at all! I don't understand. Why? DINA. What consequences could you foresee, madam? SIGNORA FROLA. Why, my son-in-law, Signor Ponza, has just been here, hasn't he? AGAZZI. Why, yes, he was here! He came to discuss certain office matters with me ... just ordinary business, you understand! SIGNORA FROLA (_visibly hurt and quite dismayed_). Oh, I know you are saying that just to spare me, just in order not to hurt my feelings. AGAZZI. Not at all, not at all! That was really why he came. SIGNORA FROLA (_with some alarm_). But he was quite calm, I hope, quite calm?