The General (poking him in the ribs) Away, you charlatan! I reckon you have killed more people than I have in those countries.
Godard
What is this talk that you are alluding to?
Gertrude This poor Champagne, our foreman, was supposed to have poisoned his wife.
Vernon Unhappily, the night before she died, they had had an altercation which ended in blows. Ah! they don't take example from their masters.
Godard Such happiness as reigns here ought to be contagious, but the virtues which are exemplified in the countess are very rare.
Gertrude Is there any merit in loving an excellent husband and a daughter such as these?
The General Come, Gertrude, say no more! Such words ought not to be spoken in public.
Vernon (aside) Such things are always said in this way, when it is necessary to make people believe them.
The General (to Vernon)
What are you muttering about?
Vernon I was saying that I was sixty-seven years old, and that I was younger than you are, and that I should wish to be loved like that. (Aside) If only I could be sure that it was love.