Macaire. What is obedience? fear. So march straight, or look for mischief. It’s not bon ton, I know, and far from friendly. But what is friendship? convenience. But we lose time in this amiable dalliance. Come, now an effort of deportment: the head thrown back, a jaunty carriage of the leg; crook gracefully the elbow. Thus. ’Tis better. (Calling.) House, house here!
Bertrand. Are you mad? We haven’t a brass farthing.
Macaire. Now!—But before we leave!
SCENE IV
To these, Dumont
Dumont. Gentlemen, what can a plain man do for your service?
Macaire. My good man, in a roadside inn one cannot look for the impossible. Give one what small wine and what country fare you can produce.
Dumont. Gentlemen, you come here upon a most auspicious day, a red-letter day for me and my poor house, when all are welcome. Suffer me, with all delicacy, to inquire if you are not in somewhat narrow circumstances?
Macaire. My good creature, you are strangely in error; one is rolling in gold.
Bertrand. And very hungry.