Do you know of whom we were talking just now? We were talking of you.
LÉON [aside]
Ahem! ahem!
JEAN
Yes; I was just saying that I had not made you a present on the occasion of my nuptials, because the choosing of it demanded a great deal of reflection.
MME. DE RONCHARD [dryly]
But Gilberte made me a very pretty one for you both, Monsieur.
JEAN
But that is not enough. I have been looking for something which I thought would be particularly acceptable to you; and do you know what I found? It is a very small thing, but I ask you, Madame, to be so good as to accept this little pocketbook, which holds some bank-notes, for the benefit of your dear little deserted pets. You can add to your home for these little pets some additional kennels on the sole condition that you will allow me from time to time to come and pet your little pensioners, and on the additional condition that you will not pick out the most vicious among them to greet me.
MME. DE RONCHARD [greatly impressed]