FullReads

ANTONIO
[Confused].

I don’t know–

DURAND.
I know what I, as a father, should have done, but–father-like–I didn’t do it. But I know what to do the next time.

ANTONIO.
On account of that very thing it seems to me that you should think very carefully about what you do, and not leave your daughters to chance.

DURAND.
Monsieur Antonio, you are a young man who, for some inexplicable reason, has won my regard. Whether you grant it, or not, I am going to ask one thing of you. Don’t form any opinions about me as an individual, or about my conduct.

ANTONIO.
Monsieur Durand, I promise it if you will answer me one question; are you Swiss born, or not?

DURAND.
I am a Swiss citizen.

ANTONIO.
Yes, I know that, but I ask if you were born in Switzerland.

DURAND
[Uncertainly].

Yes.

ANTONIO.
I asked only–because it interested me. Nevertheless–as I must believe you that your pension must be closed, I want to pay what I owe. To be sure it’s only ten francs, but I can’t go away and leave an unpaid bill.

DURAND.
I can’t be sure that this is really a debt, as I don’t keep the accounts, but if you have deceived me you shall hear from me. Now I’ll go and get the bread. Afterward we’ll find out.

[Goes out. Antonio alone. Afterward Therese comes in, carrying a rat-trap. She wears a morning negligee and her hair is down.]

THERESE.
Oh, there you are, Antonio! I thought I heard the old man.

ANTONIO.
Yes, he went to get the coffee-bread, he said.

THERESE.
Hadn’t he done that already? No, do you know, we can’t stand him any longer.

ANTONIO.
How beautiful you are today, Therese! But that rat-trap isn’t becoming.

THERESE.
And such a trap into the bargain! I have set it for a whole month, but never, never get a live one, although the bait is eaten every morning. Have you seen Mimi around?

ANTONIO.
That damned cat? It’s usually around early and late, but today I’ve been spared it.

THERESE.
You must speak beautifully about the absent, and remember, he who loves me, loves my cat.

[She puts rat-trap on table and picks up an empty saucer from under table.]
Adele, Adele!

ADELE
[In the kitchen door].

What does Her Highness demand so loudly?

THERESE.
Her Highness demands milk for her cat and a piece of cheese for your rats.

ADELE.
Go get them yourself.

THERESE.
Is that the way to answer Her Highness?

ADELE.
The answer fits such talk. And besides, you deserve it for showing yourself before a stranger with your hair not combed.

THERESE.
Aren’t we all old friends here, and–Antonio, go and speak nicely to Aunt Adele, and then you’ll get some milk for Mimi.

[Antonio hesitates.]
Well, aren’t you going to mind?

ANTONIO
[Sharply].

No.

THERESE.
What kind of a way to speak is that? Do you want a taste of my riding whip?

ANTONIO.
Impudence!

THERESE.
[Amazed].

What’s that? What’s that? Are you trying to remind me of my position, my debt, my weakness?

ANTONIO.
No, I only want to remind you of my position, my debt, my weakness.

ADELE
[Getting the saucer].

Now listen, good friends. What’s all this foolishness for? Be friends–and then I’ll give you some very nice coffee.