THE MANAGER. Indeed? indeed? But here, you know, people have got to make themselves heard, my dear. Even we who are on the stage can't hear you. What will it be when the public's in the theatre? And anyway, you can very well speak up now among yourselves, since we shan't be present to listen to you as we are now. You've got to pretend to be alone in a room at the back of a shop where no one can hear you. (THE STEP-DAUGHTER _coquettishly and with a touch of malice makes a sign of disagreement two or three times with her finger_). THE MANAGER. What do you mean by no? THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_sotto voce, mysteriously_). There's someone who will hear us if she (_indicating Madame Pace_) speaks out loud. THE MANAGER (_in consternation_). What? Have you got someone else to spring on us now? (_The actors burst out laughing_). THE FATHER. No, no sir. She is alluding to me. I've got to be here--there behind that door, in waiting; and Madame Pace knows it. In fact, if you will allow me, I'll go there at once, so I can be quite ready. (_Moves away_). THE MANAGER (_stopping him_). No! Wait! wait! We must observe the conventions of the theatre. Before you are ready.... THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_interrupting him_). No, get on with it at once! I'm just dying, I tell you, to act this scene. If he's ready, I'm more than ready. THE MANAGER (_shouting_). But, my dear young lady, first of all, we must have the scene between you and this lady ... (_indicates Madame Pace_). Do you understand?... THE STEP-DAUGHTER. Good Heavens! She's been telling me what you know already: that mamma's work is badly done again, that the material's ruined; and that if I want her to continue to help us in our misery I must be patient.... MADAME PACE (_coming forward with an air of great importance_). Yes indeed, sir, I no wanta take advantage of her, I no wanta be hard.... (_Note. Madame Face is supposed to talk in a jargon half Italian, half Spanish_). THE MANAGER (_alarmed_). What? What? She talks like that? (_The actors burst out laughing again_). THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_also laughing_). Yes yes, that's the way she talks, half English, half Italian! Most comical it is! MADAME PACE. Itta seem not verra polite gentlemen laugha atta me eef I trya best speaka English. THE MANAGER. _Diamine_! Of course! Of course! Let her talk like that! Just what we want. Talk just like that, Madam, if you please! The effect will be certain. Exactly what was wanted to put a little comic relief into the crudity of the situation. Of course she talks like that! Magnificent!