Part 1 (2/2)

POLLY

[_Interrupting the march_]: Stop, you're out again! Now, listen--[_He stands close to Tilly and plays into his face. Tilly absent-mindedly listens, scratching his nose._] There! Come on now! [_They resume their music and marching. As they reach the door they meet the manager and_ MANCINI; _the latter walks behind the manager, and is gnawing at the k.n.o.b of his goldmounted cane_. COUNT MANCINI _is tall and slight. The seams of his clothes are worn and he keeps his coat b.u.t.toned tight. He a.s.sumes extremely graceful manners, takes affected poses, and has a special fondness for toying with his cane, with aristocratic stylishness. When he laughs, which happens often, his thin sharp face takes on a marked resemblance to a satyr. The manager_, ”PAPA” BRIQUET, _is a stout quiet man of average height_. _His bearing is hesitant. The clowns make room for the gentlemen. The manager looks questioningly at the older man._]

POLLY

[_With an affected accent_]: Our moosic for the pantomime! The March of the Ants!

BRIQUET

Ha! Yes!

[_The gentlemen walk in. The clowns resume their music_, POLLY _marching on, then turning, the younger following._]

POLLY

Papa Briquet, Jack is working very badly to-day.

BRIQUET

What's the matter with him?

POLLY

He has a sore throat. You'd better take a look at him.

BRIQUET

All right. Come on, Jack. Open your mouth! Wider--wider. [_Turns clown's face to the light near the window and examines him closely and seriously._] Just smear it with iodine.

POLLY

I told him so. I said it was nothing! Oh! Come on. [_They go away playing, marching, practising their funny mincing steps. The manager sits down._ MANCINI _strikes a pose by the wall, smiling ironically._]

MANCINI

So. You give them medical treatment, too! Look out, Papa Briquet, you have no licence.

BRIQUET

Just a little advice. They're all so afraid for their lives.

MANCINI

<script>