Ursus
A sordid position.
Phedro
[Becomes slightly frenzied during his speech.]
Yes. A servant is something to absorb the spittle of their irritability. A hand to arrange the pages of their private diary when they get stuck together with filth; and above all a presence between them and the mirror during those grey dawn hours when passing it, they are likely to see themselves as they are. Ah, then one must be armed with the eloquence of Cato to reassure these sow's ears that they are still silk purses. Otherwise the devil has to be bought off in the morning and with three times the effort. One thing they never count on, however.
Ursus
And that?
Phedro
The effect on another human being of their absurdity and the passion of malice they rouse from a too long concealed contempt.
Ursus [looking at him curiously]