take
them to the storeroom.

In the dressing-room of the leading ladies of the caste such a storm
had broken loose that Cabinski, who was just leaving the stage, went
there to pour oil on the troubled waters.

As he entered, Kaczkowska threw herself at him from one side and
Mimi from the other; both grasped him by the hands and each sought
to out-shout the other.

"If you allow such things to happen, Director, I will leave the
company! . . ."

"It's a scandal, Director! . . . everybody saw it. . . . I will not
stay in her company another hour!"

"Director! she . . ."

"Now don't lie!"

"It's insulting!"

"It's base and ridiculous!"

"For God's sake! what's all this about?" cried Cabinski in
desperation.

"I will tell you how it happened, Director.

"It is I who ought to tell, for she is a liar!"

"Now my dears, please be quiet or I swear I'll go right out."

"It was this way. I received a bouquet, for it was most plainly
intended for me, and this . . . lady, who happened to be standing
nearer, cut me off and took my bouquet. . . . And, instead of giving
it to me, to whom it belonged, she brazenly bowed and kept it for
herself!" cried Kaczkowska amid tears and bursts of anger.

At that Mimi began to cry.

"Mimi, you will blur the paint under your eyes!" called someone.

Mimi immediately stopped crying.

"What do you ladies want me to do?" asked Cabinski, when he found an
opportunity to speak.

"Tell her to give me back that bouquet and apologize."

"I can, but with my fist . . ." retorted Mimi. "You can ask the
chorus, Director . . . they all saw."

"The chorus from the fourth act!" called Cabinski behind the scenes.

There entered a throng of women and men already half-undressed, and
among them Janina.

"Well, let us arrange a judgment of Solomon!"

An increasing number of onlookers began to crowd into the
dressing-room and derisive remarks, aimed at the generally disliked
Kaczkowska, flew about.

"Who saw to whom the bouquet was given?" asked Cabinski.

"We weren't taking notice," all replied, unwilling to incur the
disfavor of either of the contestants. Only Janina who detested
injustice, finally said: "The bouquet was given to Miss Zarzecka. I
stood beside her and saw distinctly."

"What does that calf want here? She came from the street and thinks
she can interfere in what's none of her business!" cried Kaczkowska.

Janina advanced, her voice hoarse with anger.

"You have no