k; and I shall not mind a franc or so for a night's lodging.

GRAIN. I thank you. And just introduce me to your other colleagues as a
visitor from the provinces.

HOST. Oh, no. We will tell them right away that you are a real
murderer. They will much prefer that.

GRAIN. Pardon me. I don't wish to do anything against my interests, but
I don't see why--

HOST. When you have been on the boards a bit longer, you will
understand.

Enter SCAEVOLA and JULES.

SCAEVOLA. Good evening, Chief.

HOST. How many times have I got to tell you that the whole joke falls
flat if you call me Chief?

SCAEVOLA. Well, whatever you are, I don't think we shall play tonight.

HOST. And why?

SCAEVOLA. The people won't be in the mood. There's a hellish uproar in
the streets, and in front of the Bastille especially they are yelling
like men possessed.

HOST. What matters that to us? The shouting has been going on for
months, and our audience hasn't stayed away from us. It goes on
diverting itself just as it did before.

SCAEVOLA. Ay, it has the gaiety of people who are shortly going to be
hanged.

HOST. If only I live to see it!

SCAEVOLA. In the meanwhile, give us something to drink to get me into
the vein. I don't feel at all in the vein tonight.

HOST. That's often the case with you, my friend. I must tell you that I
was most dissatisfied with you last night.

SCAEVOLA. Why so, if I may ask?

HOST. The story about the burglary was simply babyish.

SCAEVOLA. Babyish?

HOST. To be sure. Absolutely incredible. Mere roaring is of no avail.

SCAEVOLA. I didn't roar.

HOST. You are always roaring. It will really be necessary for me to
rehearse things with you. One can never rely on your inspirations.
Henri is the only one.

SCAEVOLA. Henri--never anything but Henri! Henri simply plays to the
gallery. My burglary of last night was a masterpiece. Henri will never
do anything as good as that as long as he lives. If I don't satisfy
you, my friend, then I'll just go to a proper theatre. Anyhow, yours is
nothing but a cheap-jack establishment. Hallo! (Notices GRAIN.) Who
is this! He isn't one of our lot, is he? Perhaps you've just engaged
someone? But what a make-up the fellow has!

HOST. Calm yourself. 'Tis not a professional actor. 'Tis a real
murderer.

SCAEVOLA. Oh, indeed. (Goes up to him.) Very glad to know you. My
name is Scaevola.

GRAIN. My name is Grain.

[JULES has been walking aro