don. I didn't know.

RENE. I haven't a moment.

FELIAT. I've never seen you so busy. At your office they say you're a
lazy dog.

MADAME GUERET. Probably Rene has more taste for the stage than for
business.

RENE [_laughing_] Rather! [_To Lucienne_] Now, it's time. Come. Lift it.
Not yet! There! _Now!_

LUCIENNE [_speaking through the guichet_] "If you want food and drink,
you must do like those old women you despise--you must spin."

RENE. Capital!

LUCIENNE [_to Feliat_] Please forgive me, Monsieur, I've not had time to
speak to you.

FELIAT. Why, it's Mademoiselle Lucienne, Therese's friend, who came and
stayed in the holidays! Fancy my not recognizing you!

LUCIENNE. It's my dress. I _do_ like playing this part. I have to say
that lovely bit--you know--the bit that describes the day of the ideal
wife. [_She recites, sentimentally_] "I rise and go to prayers, to the
farmyard, to the kitchen. I prepare your meal; I go with you to church;
I read a page or two; I sew a while; and then I fall asleep happy upon
your breast."

FELIAT. That's good, oh, that's very good! _Barberine_--now, who wrote
that?

LUCIENNE. Alfred de Musset.

FELIAT. Ah, yes; to be sure, Alfred de Musset. I read him when I was
young. You often find his works lying about in pretty bindings.

RENE. Uncle, Uncle; I beg your pardon, but don't speak so loud. We can
hardly hear what they're saying on the stage.

FELIAT [_very politely_] Sorry, I'm sure.

RENE [_to Lucienne_] You. _Now._

LUCIENNE [_speaking through the guichet_] "My lord, these cries are
useless. It grows late. If you wish to sup--you must spin." [_turning to
the others_] There! Now I must go over the rest with Ulric.

_She runs out, with a little wave of adieu to Feliat._

RENE [_to Madame Gueret_] The trumpets, Madame. Don't forget.

MADAME GUERET. No, no. Don't worry.

_Rene goes out._

FELIAT. You blow trumpets?

MADAME GUERET. Yes; on the piano.

FELIAT. I don't know what to do with myself. I don't want to be in the
way. I'm not accustomed to being behind the scenes.

MADAME GUERET. Nor am I.

_Therese comes in in the Kalekairi dress, followed by Rene._

THERESE. It's time for me now.

FELIAT [_to Madame Gueret_] She really looks like a professional
actress.

RENE [_to Therese_] Now!

THERESE [_speaking through the little window_] "My lady says, as you
will not spin, you cannot sup. She thinks you are not hungry, and I
wish you good-night."