Marie. Mr. Smith to see your father.
Rodney. That’s a man I might get money from. (Johnson enters from door lower L.) He’s a great friend of the family. Used to dangle me on his knee, and all that sort of thing. (He sees Johnson) Oh, Johnson.
Johnson. Yes, sir?
Rodney. Mr. Smith is downstairs—in one minute bring him up here.
Johnson. Yes, sir. (He exits door upper L.)
Rodney. Now, Marie, tell the countess you speak French.
Marie. Je parle Français, Madame.
Countess. Mon Dieu—enfin quelqu’un qui parle Français! Je suis Madame la Comtesse de Beaurien—et je désire parler avec monsieur àpropos des affaires du Savon Treize.
Marie. (Back at her quickly) Ah mais oui—je comprends parfaitement. Je dirai à monsieur ce que vous avez dit. Ah je suis ravie d’avoir trouvé aux Etats Unis une compatriote avec laquelle je pourrai parler ma belle langue de France. (They talk together violently in French, and at the end of the speech, the Countess kisses Marie)
Rodney. Mary, take them away—take them into the library. Explain to Marie about the agency—Mary can translate your slang to Marie and she can turn it into French.