Part 22 (1/2)

Pierquin Returned from where?

Violette Who has returned?

Mercadet (coming forward) n.o.body has returned. Let us start for Clichy, gentlemen.

Goulard But listen, if you are expecting any a.s.sistance--

Pierquin If you have any hope that--

Violette Or if even some considerable legacy--

Goulard Come, now!

Pierquin Answer--

Violette Tell us--

Mercadet Now, take care, I beg you. You are giving way, you are giving way, gentlemen, and if I wished to take the trouble, I could win you over again. Come now, act like genuine creditors! Ridicule the past, forget the brilliant strokes of business I put within the power of each of you before the sudden departure of my faithful G.o.deau--

Goulard His faithful G.o.deau!

Pierquin Ah! If there were only--

Mercadet Forget all that preposterous past, take no account of what might induce him to return--after being waited for so long--and--let us start for Clichy, gentlemen, let us start for Clichy!

Violette Mercadet, you are expecting G.o.deau, aren't you?

Mercadet No!

Violette (as with a sudden inspiration) Gentlemen, he is expecting G.o.deau!

Goulard Can it be true?

Pierquin Speak.

All Speak! Speak!

Mercadet (with feeble deprecations) Why, no, no--yet I do not know--I-- Certainly, it is possible that some day or other he may return form the Indies with some-- considerable fortune-- (In a decided tone) But I give you my word of honor that I don't expect G.o.deau here to-day.

Violette (excitedly) Then it must be to-morrow! Gentlemen, he expects him to-morrow!

Goulard (in a low voice to the others) Unless this is some fresh trick to gain time and ridicule us--

Pierquin (aloud) Do you think it might be?

Goulard It is quite possible.

Violette (in a loud tone) Gentlemen, he is fooling us.