A CONTENTED IDLER
From 'M. Poirier's Son-in-Law'
[The party are leaving the dining-room.]
Gaston--Well, Hector! What do you think of it? The house is just as you see it now, every day in the year. Do you believe there is a happier man in the world than I?
Duke--Faith! I envy you; you reconcile me to marriage.
Antoinette [in a low voice to Verdelet]--Monsieur de Montmeyran is a charming young man!
Verdelet [in a low voice]--He pleases me.
Gaston [to Poirier, who comes in last]--Monsieur Poirier, I must tell you once for all how much I esteem you. Don't think I'm ungrateful.
Poirier--Oh! Monsieur!
Gaston--Why the devil don't you call me Gaston? And you, too, dear Monsieur Verdelet, I'm very glad to see you.
Antoinette--He is one of the family, Gaston.
Gaston--Shake hands then, Uncle.
Verdelet [aside, giving him his hand]--He's not a bad fellow.
Gaston--Agree, Hector, that I've been lucky. Monsieur Poirier, I feel guilty. You make my life one long fête and never give me a chance in return. Try to think of something I can do for you.
Poirier--Very well, if that's the way you feel, give me a quarter of an hour. I should like to have a serious talk with you.
Duke--I'll withdraw.
Poirier--No, stay, Monsieur. We are going to hold a kind of family council. Neither you nor Verdelet will be in the way.
Gaston--The deuce, my dear father-in-law. A family council! You embarrass me!
Poirier--Not at all, dear Gaston. Let us sit down.
[They seat themselves around the fireplace.]
Gaston--Begin, Monsieur Poirier.
Poirier--You say you are happy, dear Gaston, and that is my greatest recompense.
Gaston--I'm willing to double your gratification.
Poirier--But now that three months have been given to the joys of the honeymoon, I think that there has been romance enough, and that it's time to think about history.
Gaston--You talk like a book. Certainly, we'll think about history if you wish. I'm willing.
Poirier--What do you intend to do?
Gaston--To-day?
Poirier--And to-morrow, and in the future. You must have some idea.
Gaston--True, my plans are made. I expect to do to-day what I did yesterday, and to-morrow what I shall do to-day. I'm not versatile, in spite of my light air; and if the future is only like the present I'll be satisfied.
Poirier--But you are too sensible to think that the honeymoon can last forever.
Gaston--Too sensible, and too good an astronomer. But you've probably read Heine?
Poirier--You must have read that, Verdelet?
Verdelet--Yes; I've read him.
Poirier--Perhaps he spent his life at playing truant.
Gaston--Well, Heine, when he was asked what became of the old full moons, said that they were broken up to make the stars.
Poirier--I don't understand.
Gaston--When our honeymoon is old, we'll break it up and there'll be enough to make a whole Milky Way.
Poirier--That is a clever idea, of course.
Gaston--Its only merit is simplicity.
Poirier--But seriously, don't you think that the idle life you lead may jeopardize the happiness of a young household?
Gaston--Not at all.
Verdelet--A man of your capacity can't mean to idle all his life.
Gaston--With resignation.
Antoinette--Don't you think you'll find it dull after a time, Gaston?
Gaston--You calumniate yourself, my dear.
Antoinette--I'm not vain enough to suppose that I can fill your whole existence, and I admit that I'd like to see you follow the example of Monsieur de Montmeyran.
Gaston [rising and leaning against the mantelpiece]--Perhaps you want me to fight?
Antoinette--No, of course not.
Gaston--What then?
Poirier--We want you to take a position worthy of your name.
Gaston--There are only three positions which my name permits me: soldier, bishop, or husbandman. Choose.
Poirier--We owe everything to France. France is our mother.
Verdelet--I understand the vexation of a son whose mother remarries; I understand why he doesn't go to the wedding: but if he has the right kind of heart he won't turn sulky. If the second husband makes her happy, he'll soon offer him a friendly hand.
Poirier--The nobility cannot always hold itself aloof, as it begins to perceive. More than one illustrious name has set the example: Monsieur de Valcherrière, Monsieur de Chazerolles, Monsieur de Mont Louis--
Gaston--These men have done as they thought best. I don't judge them, but I cannot imitate them.
Antoinette--Why not, Gaston?
Gaston--Ask Montmeyran.
Verdelet--The Duke's uniform answers for him.
Duke--Excuse me, a soldier has but one opinion--his duty; but one adversary--the enemy.
Poirier--However, Monsieur--
Gaston--Enough, it isn't a matter of politics, Monsieur Poirier. One may discuss opinions, but not sentiments. I am bound by gratitude. My fidelity is that of a servant and of a friend. Not another word. [To the Duke.] I beg your pardon, my dear fellow. This is the first time we've talked politics here, and I promise you it shall be the last.
The Duke [in a low voice to Antoinette]--You've been forced into making a mistake, Madame.
Antoinette--I know it, now that it's too late.
Verdelet [softly, to Poirier]--Now you're in a fine fix.
Poirier [in same tone]--He's repulsed the first assault, but I don't raise the siege.
Gaston--I'm not resentful, Monsieur Poirier. Perhaps I spoke a little too strongly, but this is a tender point with me, and unintentionally you wounded me. Shake hands.
Poirier--You are very kind.
A Servant--There are some people in the little parlor who say they have an appointment with Monsieur Poirier.
Poirier--Very well, ask them to wait a moment. [The servant goes out.] Your creditors, son-in-law.
Gaston--Yours, my dear father-in-law. I've turned them over to you.
Duke--As a wedding present.