This page needs to be proofread.
EUGENE LABICHE AND MARC MICHEL
49
- Corporal. — Clandestinely!
- Nonancourt. — I beg pardon... I...
- Corporal. — Silence! (To Vézinet.) Your papers?
- Vézinet. — Yes, Sir, yes; five hundred francs... without the trimmings!
- Corporal. — Oh, so that's your little game!
- Nonancourt. — By no means, Corporal; this unfortunate old man is...
- Corporal. — Your papers? (At a sign from him, two soldiers take Bobin and Nonancourt by their collars.)
- Nonancourt. — My word!
- Hélène. — Sir; he's my papa!
- Corporal (To Hélène). — Your papers?
- Bobin. — We've told you we hadn't any... We only came...
- Corporal. — No papers? To the Post! You shall explain to the captain! (Hustles them toward the Post.)
- Nonancourt. — I protest, in the face and eyes of all Europe! (All are pushed into line. Nonancourt still clings to the hat. Félix, arguing, is taken along with the rest.)
- Tardiveau. — The patrol has returned. I'd like to take some rice and milk. (During the following action, he takes his cloak, which he hangs upon his rifle, and places his shako upon his bayonet, so as to simulate a guardsman in the posture known as "at ease.")
- Fadinard (Coming out of his house, with the box, followed by Anais and Émile). — Come, Madame, I've found the hat. Its your salvation, your husband knows all. He is upon my trail... Put it on, and go! (Gives her the box, Anais and Émile take it, open it, and look within—then utter loud cries.) Oh! Oh!
- Anais. — Heavens!
- Émile (Looking again). — Empty!
- Fadinard (In amazement). — It was there! My father-in-law stole it! (Whirling about.) Where is he?Where is my wife? Where is my bridal party?
- Tardiveau (In the act of going). — At the Post, Sir, even to the violin! (Goes out, at the right.)
- Fadinard. — The violin! My party! And the hat, too! What's to be done?
- Anais. — Oh, we're all ruined!
- Émile. — Ah, I'll go in; I know the officer.
- Fadinard. — Ah, we'll get it! He knows the officer! (Sound
