Charlier (revelling recklessly). Small lemonade, waiter.
Picard (with abandoned gaiety). A dry biscuit and a glass of milk.
Jacquot (letting himself go). Dash, bother, hang, bust!
Picard (to Merlin). Why don't you revel?
Merlin (giving Suzanne a nudge). What-ho!
[Relapses into silence again.
Picard (gaily). A song! a song!
Charlier (in an agonised whisper). You fool, none of us can sing!
Picard. What about the girl who sang the recruiting song before the play began? Isn't she behind the scenes still? (Cracking his biscuit.) Well, let's have a dance anyway. We must make the thing go. Waiter, another glass of milk.
Enter Judge Hallers in scowl and muffler.