Madame Vagret [snipping at the parcel and speaking to herself] It's no use stuffing it with moth-balls—it'll all be moth-eaten before ever you wear it.
Vagret. What is it?
Madame Vagret [placing the parcel on the table and opening the wrapper] Look!
Vagret. Ah, yes—my red robe—the one you bought for me—in advance—two years ago.
Madame Vagret. Yes. That time it was Gamard who was appointed instead of you.
Vagret. What could you expect? Gamard had a deputy for his brother-in-law; there's no getting over that. The Ministry has to assure itself of a majority.
Madame Vagret. And to think that in spite of all my searching I haven't been able to discover so much as a municipal councillor among our relations!
Vagret. Well—hide this thing. It torments me. [He returns the gown, which he had unfolded, to his wife] In any case I dare say it wouldn't fit me now.
Madame Vagret. Oh, they fit anybody, these things!
Vagret. Let's see—[He takes off his coat]