When it comes to the "rules" concerning Harriet/Hettie and Margret/Maggie, it's seen as four women on stage, but only two in the play's world. Within the world of the play, I think that what determines these rules is the fact that the alter personalities of the cultured women are only meant to be inner dialogue, describing inner thoughts and double meanings. This can be related to girl world. Two girls could have a seemingly normal conversation, yet both girls have secret meanings behind each word that both understand without a word being said about the double meaning. This theory can be backed up by the writer's stage directions when she states that Hettie is talking to Maggie. They characters may not see or hear each other, but when the dialogue is aimed towards them, this could represent a hidden meaning to the other civilized woman's seemingly normal words.
So, to straighten things up, Harriet and Margret are talking to one another and can see one another. Hettie can be heard by Harriet, and Maggi can be heard by Margret. Neither Harriet or Margret can see their alters, and neither Hettie or Maggie see one another. The only way Hettie and Maggie seem to become aware of each other's intentions is through the double meaning of Harriet and Margret's conversation.
Luckily, the dialogue between Harriet and Hettie at the beginning of the play will establish that Hettie is not to be seen, but only heard by her counterpart. The same establishment could also easily be made between Margret and Maggie.
Through out the play, the rules of this world seem to stay constant. Yes, at times, this play seems confusing, but it is the audience's responsibility to keep up with the inner and outer dialogue portrayed by the different characters.
The effects of the constancy choices help establish that Hettie and Maggie are not physically there, but they are mentally present through the thoughts and inner dialogue of the main characters. It helps portray the struggle within humans wether or not to show their true colors or hide behind a facade. This helps portray a form of visual thinking.
