Thérèse. 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.
Féliat [having finished his sum] Two francs forty.
Thérèse [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.
Féliat. But that's first-rate. I give you an absolutely free hand.
Thérèse. Thank you, Monsieur Féliat.
Féliat. 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.
Thérèse. Oh, leave it to me, I'm not afraid.
Féliat. Well done. I like pluck. Go ahead. How lucky I was to get you here.
Thérèse. 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.
Féliat. 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?