AGAZZI. Calm? As calm as could be! Why not? Of course! (_The members of the company all nod in confirmation_). SIGNORA FROLA. Oh, my dear friends, I am sure you are trying to reassure me; but as a matter of fact I came to set you right about my son-in-law. SIGNORA SIRELLI. Why no, Signora, what's the trouble? AGAZZI. Really, it was just a matter of politics we talked about.... SIGNORA FROLA. But I can tell from the way you all look at me.... Please excuse me, but it is not a question of me at all. From the way you all look at me I can tell that he came here to prove something that I would never have confessed for all the money in the world. You will all bear me out, won't you? When I came here a few moments ago you all asked me questions that were very cruel questions to me, as I hope you will understand. And they were questions that I couldn't answer very well; but anyhow I gave an explanation of our manner of living which can be satisfactory to nobody, I am well aware. But how could I give you the real reason? How could I tell you people, as he's doing, that my daughter has been dead for four years and that I'm a poor, insane mother who believes that her daughter is still living and that her husband will not allow me to see her? AGAZZI (_quite upset by the ring of deep sincerity he finds in Signora Frola's manner of speaking_). What do you mean, your daughter? SIGNORA FROLA (_hastily and with anguished dismay written on her features_). You know that's so. Why do you try to deny it? He did say that to you, didn't he? SIRELLI (_with some hesitation and studying her features warily_). Yes ... in fact ... he did say that. SIGNORA FROLA. I know he did; and I also know how it pained him to be obliged to say such a thing of me. It is a great pity, Commendatore! We have made continual sacrifices, involving unheard of suffering, I assure you; and we could endure them only by living as we are living now. Unfortunately, as I well understand, it must look very strange to people, seem even scandalous, arouse no end of gossip! But after all, if he is an excellent secretary, scrupulously honest, attentive to his work, why should people complain? You have seen him in the office, haven't you? He is a good worker, isn't he? AGAZZI. To tell the truth, I have not watched him particularly, as yet.