Guéret. You see they'd been rehearsing for a week. And Thérèse—
Madame Guéret. And I not only allowed it, but I'm almost taking part in it.
Guéret. We couldn't put off all these people at twenty-four hours' notice. And it's our last party. It's really a farewell party. Besides, we should have had to tell Thérèse everything.
Madame Guéret. Well, you asked me to keep it all from her until to-morrow—though it concerns her as much as it does us. [Monsieur Féliat comes in, a man of sixty, correct without being elegant] Here's my brother.
Féliat. I've something to tell you. Shall we be interrupted?
Madame Guéret. Yes, constantly.
Féliat. Let's go into another room.
Madame Guéret. I can't. And all the rooms are full of people.
Guéret. Marguerite has been good enough to help here by taking the place of Madame Chain, who's ill.
Madame Guéret [angrily] Yes, I've got to do the noises heard off! At my age! [A sigh] Tell us, Etienne, what is it?