Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/25

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EUGENE LABICHE AND MARC MICHEL
11


Nonancourt. — Well, well, are you running lodgings for trades unions? Well, let's be going. We can't wait. Bobin, lend an arm to your cousin! Come along, Son-in-law, to the Registry. (Shaking his foot.) Ouch ! Fadinard (Aside). — And those people in there! (Aloud.) I'm coming! Let me get my hat and gloves. (Nonancoutt, Bobin and Helene go out at back.) Fadinard (Running quickly to the closet where Anais is hidden). — Come out, Madame. You can't remain here. (Running to that in which Emile is concealed.) Come, Sir, be on your way! (Virginie comes in laughing, second door left; she carries the fragment taken out by Felix; and fails to notice the others; mean while, Fadinard goes up stage, and listens, as Nonancourt goes away. He does not see Virginie.) Virginie (To herself). — Ha! Ha! Ha! That's funny! Emile (Aside). Virginie!!! Anais (Half opening the door). — My maid! Oh, I'm com promised! (She listens, also £mile, in anxiety.) Virginie (To herself). — A lady has her hat eaten, in the Bois, with a soldier! Fadinard (Turning about, and catching sight of her; aside). — Where'd she come from? (Comes down stage, a little to the left.) Virginie (To herself). — It looks like Madame's! Now, wouldn't it be a joke — Emile (To Fadinard in low tone). — Send this woman away, or I'll kill you! Virginie. — I'd like to know — Fadinard (Giving a jump). — Heavens! (Snatches hat from her hand.) Get out! Virginie (Surprised and startled at seeing Fadinard). — Sir! Sir! Fadinard (Pushing her toward the door at the back). — Get out, or I'll kill you ! Virginie (Screaming). — Oh! (Disappears at back.) Fadinard (Coming back). — Who is this woman? What's the meaning of all this ? (Sustaining Anais, who enters staggering.) Come; come! Brace up! She's ill! (Seats her at the right.) Emile (Going to her) . —Anais ! Fadinard. — Madame, hurry up! . . . I'm in a hurry! (Voice of Nonancourt; from below. — Son-in-law! Son-in- law! Fadinard. — Just a moment! Just a moment!