PETITPRÉ
What is this I hear? Jean Martinel gone out?
MARTINEL
He is coming back very soon, sir.
PETITPRÉ
But why on earth did he go out on such an evening as this without a word of explanation to his wife? [Turns to Gilberte] You know nothing about it, do you?
GILBERTE [seated L. of table]
Father, I know nothing at all about it.
MME. DE RONCHARD
And without a word of explanation to the family! That is indeed a lack of courtesy.