Mme. Mercadet
I understand.
Justin The creditors are the cause of the whole trouble. I wish I knew how to get even with them.
Mme. Mercadet
The best way to do so would be to pay them.
Justin
They would be mightily surprised.
Mme. Mercadet It is useless to conceal from you the excessive anxiety which I suffer over the condition of my husband's affairs. We shall doubtless be in need of your discretion—for we can depend upon you, can we not?
All
You need not mention it, madame.
Virginie
We were just saying, what excellent employers we had.
Therese
And that we would go through fire and water for you!
Justin
We were saying—
(Mercadet appears unnoticed.)