hat she never parts. She has a bunch of keys at her
waistbelt; her apron is turned up and makes a sort of pocket
into which she slips pieces of paper and scraps that she
picks up from the floor. Rene looks at her with surprise._

FELIAT. You're looking at Mother Bougne. Good-morning, Mother Bougne.

MOTHER BOUGNE. Good-morning, Monsieur Feliat.

FELIAT. When does the Committee of your Union sit?

MOTHER BOUGNE. On Wednesday, Monsieur Feliat.

FELIAT. You won't miss it, will you?

MOTHER BOUGNE. I haven't missed one up to now, Monsieur Feliat.

FELIAT. That's right. [_She goes out at the back during what follows.
Monsieur Feliat turns to Rene and says_] We call Mother Bougne our
Minister of the Interior, because she tries to keep the place tidy.
She's been a weaver near Rouen since she was eight years old; she's been
stranded here.

RENE. And she's a member of the Committee of the Union?

GUERET. Yes, she's a member. Therese insisted on it. When Therese
founded a Woman's Trade Union here she had the nice idea of including
among them this poor old creature, wrecked by misery and hard work. Our
Therese has ideas like that. [_With a change of tone_] But business,
business. What do you want us to do for you?

RENE. I've come to ask you two things. The first is to try to get round
my people.

FELIAT. Well, I'll try. But I know your father. He's even more obstinate
than I am myself. I shan't make the smallest impression upon him. What
else?

RENE. I want to have a talk with Therese in your presence.

FELIAT. In our presence! Now listen, my boy. Our presence will be much
more useful in the work rooms. We have our hands full here. You've
dropped in just at the point of a split between workmen and employers.
Besides, to tell you the truth, I think I know pretty well what you have
to say to Therese. I'll send her to you. And, look here, don't keep her
too long, because she's got her hands full too. [_To Gueret_] Will you
go and telephone to Duriot's?

GUERET [_looking at his watch_] Yes, there might be some news. [_He goes
out_]

FELIAT [_to Rene_] And I'll send Therese here.

_He goes out and Rene is alone for a few moments. Then
Therese comes in. They advance towards each other quietly._

THERESE. How do you do, Rene?

RENE. How are you, Therese?

_They shake hands, then, giving way to their feelings, they
kiss each other tenderly and passionately._

THERESE [_in a low