Vincent. I heard as how you were taking on hands.
Thérèse. Yes, but I choose them carefully. First of all I take the ones who need work or are not wanted at home.
Vincent. You're quite right—but I ain't asking you to pay my old woman very much—not as much as a man.
Thérèse. Why not, if she does the same work?
Vincent [with male superiority] Well, in the first place, she's only a woman; and, besides, if you didn't make a bit out of it, you wouldn't take her in the place of a man.
Thérèse. But you get excellent wages here yourself. You can live without forcing your wife to work.
Vincent. Well, anyhow, her few halfpence would be enough to pay for my tobacco.
Lucienne [laughing] Come, you don't smoke as much as all that.
Vincent. Besides, it'll put a bit more butter on the bread.
Thérèse. But your wife will take the place of another woman who hasn't even dry bread perhaps.