Virginie Yes, indeed, sometimes one has to put on an air of astonishment, as if just fallen from the moon, when a creditor appears: "Didn't you know it, sir?"—"No."—"M. Mercadet has gone to Lyons."—"Ah! He is away?" —"Yes, his prospects are most brilliant; he has discovered some coal- mines."—"Ah! So much the better! When does he return?"—"I do not know." Sometimes I put on an expression as if I had lost the dearest friend I had in the world.
Justin (aside)
That would be her money.
Virginie (pretending to cry) "Monsieur and mademoiselle are in the greatest distress. It seems that we are going to lose poor Madame Mercadet. They have taken her away to the waters! Ah!"
Therese And then, there are some creditors who are actual brutes! They speak to you as if you were the masters!
Virginie There's an end of it. I ask them for their bill and tell them I am going to settle. But now, the tradesmen refuse to give anything without the money! And you may be sure that I am not going to lend any of mine.
Justin
Let us demand our wages.
Virginie and Therese
Yes, let us demand our wages.
Virginie Who are middle-class people? Middle-class people are those who spend a great deal on their kitchen—
Justin
Who are devoted to their servants—
Virginie And who leave them a pension. That is how middle-class people ought to behave to their servants.