e. Madame Nerisse comes in and looks at
them pointedly_] Are they gone?

MADAME NERISSE. Yes, they're gone.

NERISSE. Is it all settled?

MADAME NERISSE. Yes. I am to meet them at the bank at four. But they
wouldn't give way on the question of reducing expenses as regards the
contributors.

NERISSE. And the dates of publication?

MADAME NERISSE. We are to come out fortnightly instead of weekly.
[_Indicating the door on the right_] You must go and speak to them.

NERISSE. Is Therese's salary to be reduced too?

MADAME NERISSE. It would be impossible to make distinctions.

NERISSE. Difficult, yes. Still--I think one might have managed to do
something for her.

MADAME NERISSE. I cannot see how she differs from the others. Can you?

NERISSE. Oh, well--say no more about it.

MADAME NERISSE. That will be best. [_He goes out to the right. To
herself_] I should think so indeed! [_To Therese_] While Monsieur
Nerisse was talking to the other man I had a chat with Monsieur Cazares.
He was talking about you. He's a nice fellow, and it's quite a good
family you know. He's steady and fairly well off--very well off.

THERESE [_laughing_] You talk as if you were offering me a husband!

NERISSE. And what would you say supposing he had asked me to sound you?

THERESE. I should say that I was very much obliged, but that I decline
the honor.

NERISSE. What's wrong with him?

THERESE. Nothing.

MADAME NERISSE. Well then?

THERESE. You can't marry upon that.

MADAME NERISSE. Have you absolutely made up your mind?

THERESE. Absolutely.

MADAME NERISSE. I think you're making a mistake. I think it all the more
because this chance comes just at a time--well, you'll understand what I
mean when I've told you something that I have to say to you as
manageress of _Woman Free_. It's this. You know that in spite of all we
could do we've had to hunt about for more capital. We've found some, but
we've had to submit to very severe conditions. The most important is
that they insist upon a stringent cutting down of expenses. Instead of
coming out every week, _Woman Free_ will be a fortnightly in future, and
we've been obliged to consent to reducing the salaries of the
contributors in proportion.

THERESE. How much will they be reduced?

MADAME NERISSE. In proportion I tell you. They'll be cut down by one
half.

THERESE. And I shall not have enough to live upon even in the simplest
way.

MADAME NERISSE. That was exactly what