during what follows_]

THERESE. The beating won't be done with a hammer, but in the rolling
machine; the sawing-in and the covering will be done as usual.

FELIAT [_having finished his sum_] Two francs forty.

THERESE [_triumphantly_] One franc seventy. You've calculated on the
basis of men's work. But, if you approve, I'll open a new workroom for
women in the old shop. Lucienne can manage it. I could let Madame
Princeteau take Lucienne's present place, and I'll turn out the stuff at
the price I quoted.

FELIAT. But that's first-rate. I give you an absolutely free hand.

THERESE. Thank you, Monsieur Feliat.

FELIAT. How do you think the men will take it? You know that last year,
before you came here, a strike of the workmen was broken by the women
taking the work the men were asking a rise for--taking it at lower
wages, too. Since then the men feel very strongly against the women.
Your godfather is anxious about it.

THERESE. Oh, leave it to me, I'm not afraid.

FELIAT. Well done. I like pluck. Go ahead. How lucky I was to get you
here.

THERESE. How grateful I am to you for believing in me. [_Lucienne
appears at the door on the right. She is speaking to a workwoman who is
not visible, while the following conversation goes on_] And how good you
are, too, to have given work to poor Lucienne. When I think what you
saved her from! She really owes her life to you. At any rate she owes it
to you that she's living respectably.

FELIAT. Well, I owe _you_ ten per cent reduction on my general expenses.
[_With a change of tone_] Then that's agreed? You're going ahead?

THERESE. Yes, Monsieur.

FELIAT. I'll go and give the necessary orders. [_He goes out_]

THERESE. It's all right. It's done. He's agreed! I'm to have my new
workroom, and you're to be the head of it.

LUCIENNE. Oh, splendid! Then I'm really of some importance here at last.
[_A long happy sigh_] Oh dear, how happy I am. I'd never have believed I
could have enjoyed the smell of a bindery so. [_Sniffing_] Glue, and
white of egg, and old leather; it's lovely! Oh, Therese, what you did
for me in bringing me here! What I owe you! That's what a woman's being
free means; it means a woman who earns her own living.

THERESE. Oh, you're right! Isn't it splendid, Lucienne, ten wretched
women saved, thanks to our new workshop. I've seen Duriot's forewoman.
At any moment fifty women from there may be out of work. I can take on
only ten at present, and I've had