se--?

THERESE. Yes, Madame.

MADAME NERISSE [_troubled and sad_] What can I say to you?

THERESE. Nothing, Madame.

MADAME NERISSE. My poor child.

THERESE. I don't want pity. Don't be unhappy about me. I shall be able
to manage for myself. I have plenty of courage.

MADAME NERISSE. I'm so ashamed to let you go like this. How honest and
loyal you are! [_To herself_] I was honest too, once.

THERESE. Good-bye, Madame. [_She begins to tidy her papers_]

MADAME NERISSE. Good-bye, Therese.

_Madame Nerisse goes out._

_When Therese is left alone she breaks down and bursts out
crying like a little child. Then she wipes her eyes, puts
her hat on, goes to the cardboard box, and takes out her
veil, which she slips into her little bag. She takes out
Monsieur Nerisse's letter; still crying she puts the letter
into another envelope, which she closes and leaves well in
sight upon the table. Then she takes her little black
moleskin bag and her umbrella and goes out slowly. She is
worn out, almost stooping; and, as the curtain falls, one
sees the poor little figure departing, its shoulders shaken
by sobs._

ACT III

SCENE:--_Therese's studio at the bookbinding workshops of
Messrs. Feliat and Gueret at Evreux. Strewn about are
materials for binding books: patterns, tools, and silks. A
glazed door on the right opens into the general women's
workshops, and there is a door leading into a small office on
the left. In the middle, towards the back, is a large drawing
table; several easels stand about. There are some chairs and
a small bureau. Cards hang upon the walls, on which are
printed the text of the Factory Laws. There is a door at the
back._

_It is October._

_Monsieur Gueret and Monsieur Feliat come in excitedly._

GUERET. I tell you Duriot's men are coming out on strike.

FELIAT. And I ask you, what's that to me?

GUERET. Ours will do the same.

FELIAT. Oh no, they won't.

GUERET. You'll see.

FELIAT. Duriot's men are furious with the women because of what happened
last year.

GUERET. They say woman's the enemy in business.

FELIAT. Let 'em talk.

GUERET. They want Duriot to sack all his women.

FELIAT. And I've told you why. There's no danger of anything like that
happening here.

GUERET. You think so, do you? Well, you'll see.

FELIAT. We shall see.

GUERET. You'll give in o