Thérèse. Yes. People still think more of men as writers. You see they are names that might be either a man's or a woman's. Camille, René, Gabriel.
Mademoiselle Grégoire. There's only one woman's name—Vicomtesse de Renneville.
Thérèse. That's snobbery! It's Madame Nérisse's pen-name.
Mademoiselle Grégoire. Well, I suppose it's good business.
Mademoiselle de Meuriot comes in at the back, bringing a packet of letters.
Mademoiselle de Meuriot. The post's come, Thérèse.
Thérèse. This is Mademoiselle de Meuriot. [Introducing Mademoiselle Grégoire] Our new contributor.
Mademoiselle de Meuriot. You're welcome, Mademoiselle.
The door on the left opens and Madame Nérisse appears backwards, still talking to Monsieur Nérisse, who is invisible in the inner room.
Madame Nérisse. Yes, dearest. Yes, dearest. Yes, dearest.