The Official. (Brusquely.) Not open yet! In a quarter of an hour!
Perrichon. (To the official.) Ah! pardon me! It is the first time I have traveled.... (Returning to his wife.) We are early.
Madame Perrichon. There! When I told you we should have time. You wouldn’t let us breakfast!
Perrichon. It is better to be early! ... one can look about the station! (To Henriette.) Well, little daughter, are you satisfied?... Here we are, about to set out!... A few minutes yet, and then, swift as the arrow of William Tell, we rush toward the Alps! (To his wife.) You brought the opera glasses?
Madame Perrichon. Of course!
Henriette. (To her father.) I’m not criticizing, papa, but it is now two years, at least, since you promised us this trip.
Perrichon. My daughter, I had to sell my business.... A merchant does not retire from business as easily as his little daughter leaves boarding school.... Besides, I was waiting for your education to be ended in order to complete it by revealing to you the splendid spectacle of nature!
Madame Perrichon. Are you going on in that strain?
Perrichon. What do you mean?