Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Mrs. Dangle struggles to understand the Italian musicians and the Interpreter. Sneer and Dangle come in, and Mrs. Dangle asks for their help. Sneer suggests that the musicians should just do what they came for and play their music. The musicians play, and when they're done, the Servant comes in with news that Puff has arrived. Dangle tells Mrs. Dangle to take the musicians into another room and offer them refreshments.

Once Mrs. Dangle and the musicians are gone, Puff comes in, greets Dangle and in extravagant language expresses his joy at finally being able to meet Sneer. Conversation reveals that Puff is a professional at improving the words and writings of others (or puffing), and Puff hints that most of what is read in the papers, in public advertisements and in other publications is written, or at least influenced, by...