LAUDISI. So there you are! (_He bows to himself and salutes, touching his forehead with his fingers_). I say, old man, who is the lunatic, you or I? (_He levels a finger menacingly at his image in the glass; and, of course, the image in turn levels a finger at him. As he smiles, his image smiles_). Of course, I understand! I say it's you, and you say it's me. You--you are the lunatic! No? It's me? Very well! It's me! Have it _your_ way. Between you and me, we get along very well, don't we! But the trouble is, others don't think of you just as I do; and that being the case, old man, what a fix you're in! As for me, I say that here, right in front of you, I can see myself with my eyes and touch myself with my fingers. But what are you for other people? What are you in their eyes? An image, my dear sir, just an image in the glass! "What fools these mortals be!" as old Shakespeare said. They're all carrying just such a phantom around inside themselves, and here they are racking their brains about the phantoms in other people; and they think all that is quite another thing! (_The butler has entered the room in time to catch Laudisi gesticulating at himself in the glass. He wonders if the man is crazy. Finally he speaks up_): BUTLER. Ahem!... Signor Laudisi, if you please.... LAUDISI (_coming to himself_). Uff! BUTLER. Two ladies calling, sir! Signora Cini and another lady! LAUDISI. Calling to see me? BUTLER. Really, they asked for the signora; but I said that she was out--on a call next door; and then.... LAUDISI. Well, what then? BUTLER. They looked at each other and said, "Really! Really!" and finally they asked me if anybody else was at home. LAUDISI. And of course you said that everyone was out! BUTLER. I said that you were in! LAUDISI. Why, not at all! I'm miles and miles away! Perhaps that fellow they call Laudisi is here! BUTLER. I don't understand, sir. LAUDISI. Why? You think the Laudisi they know is the Laudisi I am? BUTLER. I don't understand, sir. LAUDISI. Whom are you talking to? BUTLER. Who am I talking to? I thought I was talking to you. LAUDISI. Are you really sure the Laudisi you are talking to is the Laudisi the ladies want to see? BUTLER. Why, I think so, sir. They said they were looking for the brother of Signora Agazzi. LAUDISI. Ah, in that case you are right! (_Turning to the image in the glass_): You are not the brother of Signora Agazzi? No, it's me! (_To the butler_): Right you are! Tell them I am in. And show them in here, won't you? (_The butler retires_). SIGNORA CINI. May I come in? LAUDISI. Please, please, this way, madam!