Gaston [to Poirier, who comes in last]--Monsieur Poirier, I must tell you once for all how much I esteem you. Don't think I'm ungrateful.
Poirier--Oh! Monsieur!
Gaston--Why the devil don't you call me Gaston? And you, too, dear Monsieur Verdelet, I'm very glad to see you.
Antoinette--He is one of the family, Gaston.
Gaston--Shake hands then, Uncle.
Verdelet [aside, giving him his hand]--He's not a bad fellow.
Gaston--Agree, Hector, that I've been lucky. Monsieur Poirier, I feel guilty. You make my life one long fête and never give me a chance in return. Try to think of something I can do for you.
Poirier--Very well, if that's the way you feel, give me a quarter of an hour. I should like to have a serious talk with you.
Duke--I'll withdraw.
Poirier--No, stay, Monsieur. We are going to hold a kind of family council. Neither you nor Verdelet will be in the way.