ncers begin gradually
to fill the hall._
--Where did they go?
--I believe they went to the dining-room, where supper is being
served.
--I suppose they'll soon invite us in. Do you see anybody looking for
us?
--Yes, it's time for supper. If you eat too late, you can't sleep
well.
--I always serve supper early.
--A late supper lies heavy on your stomach.
--And the music is still playing.
--And they're still dancing.
--I wonder they don't get tired.
--How rich!
--How magnificent!
--Do you know for how many guests they have prepared the supper?
--I didn't get a chance to count all the covers. The caterer came in,
and I had to get out.
--Could they possibly have forgotten us?
--Man is so proud, and we are so unimportant.
--Don't say that. My husband says we do him an honor by accepting his
invitation. We are rich, too.
--When you consider the reputation of his wife--
--Do you see anyone looking for us? Maybe he's looking for us in the
other rooms.
--How rich!
--If you are not careful with other people's money, it's easy to get
rich, I think.
--Oh, now, it's only his enemies who say that.
--Well, after all, there are some very respectable people among them.
I must admit that my husband--
--It is late, though.
--It's clear there must be a mistake somewhere. I can't believe we've
simply been forgotten.
--Evidently you know people and life very little if you think so.
--I am surprised. We are rich enough ourselves.
--It seems to me someone called us.
--You're mistaken, no one called us. I don't understand it. To
be quite frank--why did we come to a house like this, with such a
reputation? One should be very careful of the friends one chooses.
A LIVERIED LACKEY _(appears at the door)_
Man and his Wife beg the honored guests to step into the dining-room.
GUESTS _(rising quickly)_
--What a livery!
--He asked us to come in!
--I said there must be a mistake somewhere.
--Man is so good. I'm sure he hasn't had a chance to sit down at table
himself.
--Didn't I say someone was looking for us?
--What a livery!
--They say the supper is grand.
--Everything at Man's is done in a grand style.
--What music! What an honor to be at Man's ball!
--Let those envy us who--
--How grand!
--How magnificent!
--What an honor!
_[They go out one after the other, repeating the last phrases. One
couple after the other stop dancing and follow the Gu
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