SIGNORA FROLA. Oh, no, not now!... She hasn't played for a long time--since that happened. And you know, it is what she takes hardest, poor girl! AGAZZI. Why, that seems quite natural to me! Of course, she thinks the girl is still alive! PONZA. But she shouldn't be allowed to say such things. She _must_ not--she _must_ not say such things! Didn't you hear? "She hasn't played since that happened"! She said "she _hasn't_ played since that happened"! Talking of the piano, you understand! Oh, you don't understand, no, of course! My first wife had a piano and played that tune. Oh, oh, oh! You people are determined to ruin me! (_Sirelli appears at the back door at this moment, and hearing the concluding words of Ponza and noticing his extreme exasperation, stops short, uncertain as to what to do. Agazzi is himself very much affected and motions to Sirelli to come in_). AGAZZI. Why, no, my dear fellow, I don't see any reason.... (_To Sirelli_). Won't you just tell the ladies to come in here? (_Sirelli, keeping at a safe distance from Ponza, goes to the door at the left and calls_). PONZA. The ladies in here? In here with me? Oh, no, no, please, rather.... (_At a signal from Sirelli, who stands in the doorway to the left, his face taut with intense emotion, the ladies enter. They all show various kinds and degrees of excitement and emotion. Signora Frola appears, and catching sight of Ponza in the condition he is in, stops, quite overwhelmed. As he assails her during the lines that follow, she exchanges glances of understanding from time to time with the ladies about her. The action here is rapid, nervous, tense with excitement, and extremely violent_). PONZA. You? Here? How is this? You! Here! Again! What are you doing here? SIGNORA FROLA. Why, I just came ... don't be cross! PONZA. You came here to tell these ladies.... What did you tell these ladies? SIGNORA FROLA. Nothing! I swear to God, nothing! PONZA. Nothing? What do you mean, nothing? I heard you with my own ears, and this gentleman here heard you also. You said "she plays". Who plays? Lena plays! And you know very well that Lena has been dead for four years. Dead, do you hear! Your daughter has been dead--for four years! SIGNORA FROLA. Yes, yes, I know.... Don't get excited, my dear.... Oh, yes, oh yes. I know.... PONZA. And you said "she hasn't been able to play since that happened". Of course she hasn't been able to play since that happened. How could she, if she's dead? SIGNORA FROLA. Why, of course, certainly. Isn't that what I said? Ask these ladies. I said that she hasn't been able to play since that happened. Of course. How could she, if she's dead?