The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder

As they left the box the house arose and burst into a roar of triumph the perichole flung herself into a frenzied dance, for she saw the manager at the back of the hall and knew that her salary had been increased. At last Pepita Plucked the Marqueza's sleeve and whispered to her that they should go. Camila perichole became bolder and the air was electric with the hatred and Glee of the crowd. but the marquesa, deeply moved by the first two acts of the comedy, scarcely saw the singer and sat staring before her, thinking about spain. The attention of the house was suddenly directed to the old woman and a rising murmur of contempt accompanied the laughter of the audience. the malicious actress had seen the Marquesa arrive and presently began improvising couplets alluding to her appearance, her avarice, her drunkenness, and even to her daughter's flight from her. '.between the acts it was the Perichole's custom to lay aside the courtly rôle and appear before the curtain to sing a few topical songs. Then his glance fell upon the bridge, and at that moment a twanging noise filled the air, as when the string of some musical instruments snaps in a disused room, and he saw the bridge divide and fling five gesticulating ants into the valley below.' Perhaps it was the pure air from the snows before him perhaps it was the memory that brushed him for a moment of the poem that made him raise his eyes to the helpful hills. For its importance (that of its so-called religious significance), i give it 3 stars, but the story itself rated 2.5 stars.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder