I always imagined that the actors behind the scenes were as gay off the stage as on it; but I found to my astonishment that they were all suffering more or less from severe mental depression.

Ralph and Aurelia were now sitting ruefully together on an ottoman beside the painting table, littered with its various rouges and creams and stage appliances.

Even Charles, who had established Evelyn on a chair in the wings at the side she had to come on from, and was now drinking champagne with due regard to his paint--even Charles owned to being nervous.
"I wish to goodness Mrs.Wright would begin!" he said.

"Ah, there she goes!"-- as she ascended the stage steps.

"There goes the bell.