POUCHELET. Oh, madame, I’m afraid my speech is not likely to interest you.
ANTONIN. On the contrary. My wife only likes reading about serious subjects. Why the other day I found her reading—who was it? that English writer: what was his name, dearest?
JULIE. Never mind.
ANTONIN [going over to Julie, summing up her points] She’s a wonderful little woman, my wife. Aren’t you, dearest? You aren’t cold, are you? I am always telling you you don’t wrap up enough. [To Pouchelet] She is charming, isn’t she? And the most devoted wife! [To Julie] Aren’t you a devoted wife, dear?
MME. MAIRAUT. Antonin, aren’t you going to offer M. and Madame Pouchelet a little refreshment?
ANTONIN. Of course. [To his wife] Will you ring?
Julie rings the bell. The maid comes in almost at once with bottles of beer on a tray, and glasses.
JULIE [to the maid] Put it there.
ANTONIN [to Madame Pouchelet] My wife is a wonderful manager. We are really hardly settled in here. Yet everything is always ready directly one wants it. May I give you a glass of beer?