OSCAR—Now if that pest of a woman would only go.... [_To PHILIP._]
Philip, clear those rags away, will you? [_He points to the materials on
the counter at right. PHILIP obeys._]
ADELE—Didn’t I hear Philip say he had a ticket for Lohengrin to-night?
OSCAR—[_As he goes up toward the archway._] For what?
ADELE—For the opera.
PHILIP—[_Already working at the counter._] That makes no difference.
OSCAR—It doesn’t begin till seven-thirty. [_He exits through the
archway. There is a brief pause._]
PHILIP—It begins at seven, but it doesn’t matter.
ADELE—Leave that stuff, Philip, and run along to your opera.
PHILIP—Oh, it’s all the same to me now. I’ve been to Lohengrin sixteen
times and was late every time. To-night I’ll be late for the seventeenth
time.
ADELE—Leave that, then, and go, why don’t you?
PHILIP—Oh, I might as well be an hour late now. I know all of Lohengrin
by heart. The only reason I accept tickets for it any more is because
I’ve never succeeded in seeing the beginning. The part where the swan
comes on the stage, pulling Lohengrin in a boat. I’d like to see that
just once. But it’s too late now. The swan’s all through by this time,
and has gone home for his supper. [_Continues to fold and put away the
materials._]
ADELE—My husband will clear that away. Don’t be so obstinate.
PHILIP—You seem very eager to get rid of me to-night.
ADELE—I don’t know what makes you think that.
PHILIP—Just things I’ve noticed.
ADELE—What have you noticed?
PHILIP—Maybe I had better keep my mouth shut.