(Eagerly kissing MILETTE.) Yes, yes, let's kiss each other again and again till we have no kisses left!... Oh, how wonderful it is!... I never kissed anybody till now; and I'd no idea what it was like!... Oh, how wonderful, how wonderful!... I could kiss you for ever! I could spend my life kissing you!...
MILETTE
And I, I too!... I'd never kissed anybody either: I mean, I'd only kissed daddy and mummy; it's not the same thing at all.... But tell me, Tyltyl, is it true that you love me and only me?... Who is that coming in?
(Opening the wall, which closes again behind her, enter a second young girl, dressed in a blood-red skirt and bodice. A butcher's knife hangs from her belt.)
THE SECOND GIRL
(Rushing up to TYLTYL and kissing him.) Here I am, Tyltyl darling, here I am!
TYLTYL
(To THE FAIRY.) This is Belline, my cousin, the butcher's daughter.... (To BELLINE.) What's the matter with you, Belline dear? You're wet through and quite out of breath!...
BELLINE
I should think I was!... It's a long way from the village to your place!... I didn't even wait to wash my hands.... I was helping daddy to cut up a calf; the moment your thoughts came, I dropped my knife and left everything so as to get here quicker.... I even believe that, while I was there, I cut my finger rather badly; but here it doesn't show.... Daddy hasn't the least idea what has happened; he must be furious. (Catching sight of MILETTE.) How do you do, Milette?