The gallery whistled and stamped.

Every one relaxed his or her position, drawing a long breath, looking about.
There was a general stir; the lights in the great glass chandelier clicked and blazed up, and a murmur of conversation arose.

The footlights were lowered and the orchestra left their places and disappeared underneath the stage, leaving the audience with the conviction that they had gone out after beer.

All over the house one heard the shrill voices of boys crying out, "Op'ra books--books for the op'ra--words and music for the op'ra." Throughout the boxes a great coming and going took place and an interchange of visits.

The gentlemen out in the foyer stood about conversing in groups or walked up and down smoking cigarettes, often pausing in front of the big floral piece that was to be given to the prima donna at the end of the great scene in the fourth act.
There was a little titter of an electric bell.