Arnolphe. Hold your tongues, both of you. Just answer me and let us have no more fooling. Well, Alain, how is every one here?
Alain. Master, we … (Arnolphe takes off Alain’S hat). Master, we … (Arnolphe takes it off again.) Thank Heaven, we …
Arnolphe (taking off the hat a third time and flinging it on the ground). Who taught you, impertinent fool, to speak to me with your hat on your head?
Alain. You are right; I am wrong.
Arnolphe (to Alain). Ask Agnès to come down.
Scene III.—Arnolphe, Georgette.
Arnolphe. Was she sad after I went away?
Georgette. Sad? No.
Arnolphe. No?
Georgette. Yes, yes.
Arnolphe. Why, then?
Georgette. May I die on the spot, but she expected to see you return every minute; and we never heard a horse, an ass, or a mule pass by without her thinking it was you.
Scene IV.—Arnolphe, Agnès, Alain, Georgette.
Arnolphe. Work in hand? That is a good sign. Well, Agnès, I have returned. Are you glad of it?
Agnès. Yes, sir, Heaven be thanked.
Arnolphe. I too am glad to see you again. You have always been well? I see you have.
Agnès. Except for the fleas, which troubled me in the night.
Arnolphe. Ah, you shall soon have some one to drive them away.
Agnès. I shall be pleased with that.
Arnolphe. I can easily imagine it. What are you doing there?
Agnès. I am making myself some caps. Your nightshirts and caps are finished.
Arnolphe. Ah, that is all right. Well, go up stairs. Do not tire yourself. I will soon return, and talk to you of important matters.
Scene V.—Arnolphe, alone.
Heroines of the day, learned ladies, who spout tender and fine sentiments, I defy in a breath all your verses, your novels, your letters, your love-letters, your entire science, to be worth as much as this virtuous and modest ignorance. We must not be dazzled by riches; and so long as honour is…