Lamblin. You, Mother! I tell you, the day I took it into my head to bring you here to live with us, I was an extremely clever man. It's most convenient to have you here. Men of business like me haven't the time to spend all their leisure moments with their wives. Very often, after a day's work at the office, I'm not at liberty to spend the evening at home: I must return to the office, you know.
Marthe. As you did yesterday!
Lamblin. As I did yesterday. And when I take it into my head to stroll along the boulevard—
Madame Bail. Or elsewhere!
Lamblin. You insist on your little joke, Mother. If, I say, I take it into my head to go out, there's the little one all alone. You came here to live with us, and now my conscious is easy: I leave my little wife in good hands. I need not worry. There were a thousand liberties I never indulged in before you came. Now I take them without the slightest scruple.
Madame Bail. How kind of you!
Lamblin. Don't you think so, little one?
Marthe. I believe that Mamma did exactly the right thing.
Lamblin. You see, I want people to be happy. It is not enough that I should be: every one must be who is about me. I can't abide selfish people.
Madame Bail. You're right!