He
[Bowing low, with a large gesture]: How do you do, Baron? My humblest respects to you, Count. I beg your pardon, Count, but you found the clown at work. These are, so to speak, Baron, his every-day pleasures.
Mancini
[Lifting his eyebrows]: Tsss. But you are a clever man, He. I shall ask Papa Briquet to give you a benefit performance. Shall I, He?
He
Please do me the favour, Count.
Mancini
Don't overdo. Be more simple, He. [Laughs.] But how many slaps will you get at your benefit performance, when even on weekdays they ring you like a gong! A funny profession, isn't it, Baron?
Baron
Very strange. But where is the Countess?