ANNETTE. Don't you say anything about mother! She should be living such a day as this!
[Adèle comes in with a glass of milk, which she puts on table.]
ADÈLE [To Durand]. There's your milk. What happened to the bread?
DURAND. Nothing, my children. It will continue to come as it always has up to the present.
THÉRÈSE [Grabs the glass of milk from her father]. You shall not have anything, you who throw away money, so that your children are compelled to starve.
ADÈLE. Did he throw away money, the wretch? He should have been put in the lunatic asylum the time mother said he was ripe for it. See, here's another bill that came by way of the kitchen.
[Durand takes the bill and starts as he looks at it. Pours a glass of water and drinks. Sits down and lights his briar pipe.]
ANNETTE. But he can afford to smoke tobacco.
DURAND [Tired and submissively]. Dear children, this tobacco didn't cost me any more than that water, for it was given to me six months ago. Don't vex yourselves needlessly.
THÉRÈSE [Takes matches away]. Well, at least you sha'n't waste the matches.