, by God, and not a soul is, as yet,
in the dressing-rooms! Afterwards they complain that I don't pay
them! Gentlemen! for God's sake, hurry and get dressed and begin!"

"Right away, as soon as we finish this game."

A few undressed actors with their make-up half-completed were
playing a game of poker. Stanislawski alone sat in a corner of the
dressing-room before his mirror and was making up his face. Already
for the third time he was rubbing off the paint with a towel and
making up anew. He gymnasticated his mouth, contracted his brows in
anger, puckered his forehead and cast all sorts of glances. He was
rehearsing a character and with each change of his physiognomy, he
mumbled beneath his breath the corresponding parts of his role, only
now and then tossing in the direction of the card players a
ten-copeck piece and two words: "A four . . . ten coppers!"

"The public is starting a rumpus! It's time to ring and begin!"
pleaded Cabinski.

"Don't disturb us, Director. Let them wait. . . . A trump! . . .
Shell out the coin!"

"A jack . . . you pay!"

"A queen of hearts . . . hand over five shekles!"

"All's ready! Stake something on Desdemona, Director," cried one of
the players, shuffling and stacking the cards.

"She will betray me!" hissed Cabinski.

"Doesn't she betray you anyway?"

"Ring!" shouted Cabinski to the stage-director, hearing a stamping
of feet in the hall.

For a few minutes nothing was heard but the rustling of cards,
falling with lightning-like rapidity upon the table.

"Four aces . . . you're done for!"

"Shell out!"

"A jack!"

"A five . . . that's good. I'll at least make something."

"A queen of hearts."

"Have some consideration for the ladies!" persisted Cabinski.

"A queen of spades. Shell out!"

"Enough of that! Hurry and dress yourselves! The audience is already
beginning to howl."

"If that amuses them, why interfere?"

"You'll change your minds about it, if they leave the theater and
demand their money back!" cried Cabinski, rushing out in utter
desperation.

The actors threw down their cards and all began to dress themselves
in feverish haste and to complete their make-up.

"What do we play first?"

"The Vow."

"Stanislawski!"

"You can ring, I am coming!" called Stanislawski, as he slowly made
his way to the stage.

"Hurry! or they'll wreck the theater!" cried Cabinski in the
doorway.

They were giving a so-called "dramatic bouquet," or "as you like