Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/16

2 :Virginie (To, who is trying to kiss her). — No! Let me alone, Félix. I've no time to fool!


 * Félix. —Just one kiss!


 * Virginie. —No, I won't!


 * Félix. —But I'm from your town! I'm from Rambouillet!


 * Virginie. —What of it? As if it were necessary to kiss every body from there...!


 * Félix. —There are only four thousand people...!


 * Virginie. —That's not the question; Mr. Fadinard, your employer, is getting married today—you asked me in to see the presents. Now, let's see them!


 * Félix. —Oh, no hurry! He went out last evening to see about signing some papers with his father-in-law... He won't be back until eleven o'clock, with his bridal party; and then he's going to the Registry.


 * Virginie. —Is the bride pretty?


 * Félix. — Ugh! I think she's awkward; but she comes of a good family ... You know, she's the daughter of a nursery-man from Charentonneau-way—old man Nonancourt.


 * Virginie. — Oh, Félix! if you hear anybody wants a lady's maid, put in a good word for me...


 * Félix.— You wish to leave your place... Mr. Beauperthuis?


 * Virginie. — Don't speak of him! He's a prune... of the first water... a grouche, a sulker, a sneak, a jealous

booby, and his wife! Oh, his wife!—but, then, dear me, I don't like to run people down...!
 * Félix. — Oh, no!


 * Virginie.—She's a mincing prude, a strait-laced ninny — not a whit better than anybody else.


 * Félix.—Do tell!


 * Virginie.—The second he's gone out; bing! She's gone, too! And where does she go? She never tells me, never!


 * Félix.—Oh, you can't stay in that house!


 * Virginie (Looking down).—Besides, I'd like to work with somebody from Rambouillet...


 * Félix. (Kissing her).—In Seine and Oise!


 * (Enter at the back; he is carrying a hat box.)


 * Vézinet.—Don't trouble yourselves! It's only I, Uncle Vézinet ... Has the party come?


 * Félix (Familiarly).—Not yet, Bald Pate.


 * Virginie (Whispers).—What are you doing?