l get some milk for Mimi. [Antonio
hesitates.] Well, aren't you going to mind?

ANTONIO [Sharply]. No.

THERESE. What kind of a way to speak is that? Do you want a taste of my
riding whip?

ANTONIO. Impudence!

THERESE. [Amazed]. What's that? What's that? Are you trying to remind me
of my position, my debt, my weakness?

ANTONIO. No, I only want to remind you of my position, my debt, my
weakness.

ADELE [Getting the saucer]. Now listen, good friends. What's all this
foolishness for? Be friends--and then I'll give you some very nice
coffee. [Goes into the kitchen.]

THERESE [Crying]. You are tired of me, Antonio, and you are thinking of
giving me up.

ANTONIO. You mustn't cry, it will make your eyes so ugly.

THERESE. Oh, if they are not as beautiful as Annette's--

ANTONIO.--So, it's Annette now? But now look here; all fooling aside,
isn't it about time we had our coffee?

THERESE. You'd make a charming married man--not able to wait a moment
for your coffee.

ANTONIO. And what a lovable married lady you would be, who growls at her
husband because she has made a blunder.

[Annette comes in fully dressed and hair done up.]

ANNETTE. You seem to be quarreling this morning.

ANTONIO. See, there's Annette, and dressed already.

THERESE. Yes, Annette is so extraordinary in every respect, and she also
has the prerogative of being older than I am.

ANNETTE. If you don't hold your tongue--

ANTONIO.--Oh, now, now, be good, now, Therese!

[He puts his arm around her and kisses her. Monsieur Durand appears in
the doorway as he does so.]

DURAND [Astonished]. What's this?

THERESE [Freeing herself]. What?

DURAND. Did my eyes see right?

THERESE. What did you see?

DURAND. I saw that you allowed a strange gentleman to kiss you.

THERESE. That's a lie!

DURAND. Have I lost my sight, or do you dare lie to my face?

THERESE. Is it for you to talk about lying, you who lie to us and the
whole world by saying that you were born a Swiss although you are a
Frenchman?

DURAND. Who said that?

THERESE. Mother said so.

DURAND [To Antonio]. Monsieur Lieutenant, as our account is settled,
I'll ask you to leave this house immediately, or else--

ANTONIO. Or else?

DURAND. Choose your weapon.

ANTONIO. I wonder what sort of defense you would put up other than the
hare's!

DURAND. If I didn't prefer my stick, I should take the gun that I used
in the last war.

THERESE. You have surely been at war-