COL. (_taking the chair from_ RUDOLPH) Your chair pray give me, author.

MAR. These foolish entr'actes merely make us shiver. Quickly!

RUD. (_taking another portion of the_ MS.) Here is the next act.

MAR. (_to_ COLLINE) Hush! not a whisper.

(RUDOLPH _tears up the_ MS. _and throws it into the fireplace; the flames revive._ COLLINE _moves his chair nearer and warms his hands._ RUDOLPH _is standing near the two with the rest of the_ MS.)

COL. How deep the thought is!

MAR. Color how true!

RUD. In that blue smoke my drama is dying Full of its love-scenes ardent and new.

COL. A leaf see crackle!

MAR. Those were all the kisses.

RUD. (_throwing the remaining_ MS. _on the fire_) Three acts at once I desire to hear.

COL. Only the daring can dream such visions.

RUD., MAR. and COL. Dreams that in flame soon disappear.

(_Applaud enthusiastically; the flame diminishes._)

MAR. Ye G.o.ds! see the leaves well-nigh perished.

COL. How vain is the drama we cherished.

MAR. They crackle! they curl up! they die!

MAR. and COL. The author--down with him, we cry.

(_From the middle door two boys enter, carrying provisions and fuel; the three friends turn, and with a surprised cry, seize the provisions and place them on the table._ COLLINE _carries the wood to the fireplace._)

RUD. Fuel!

MAR. Wine, too!

COL. Cigars!

RUD. Fuel!

MAR. Bordeaux!

RUD., MAR. and COL. The abundance of a feast day We are destined yet to know.

(_Exeunt the two boys_)

(_Enter_ SCHAUNARD.)

SCH. (_triumphantly throwing some coins on the ground_) Such wealth in the balance Outweighs the Bank of France.

COL. (_a.s.sisting_ RUDOLPH _and_ MARCEL _to pick up the coins_) Then, take them--then, take them.

MAR. (_incredulously_) Tin medals? Inspect them.

SCH. (_showing one to_ MARCEL) You're deaf then, or blear-eyed?

What face do they show?

RUD. (_bowing_) King Louis Philippe: to my monarch I bow.

RUD., MAR., SCH. and COL. Shall King Louis Philippe at our feet thus lie low?

(SCHAUNARD _will go on recounting his good luck, but the others continue to arrange everything on the table._)

SCH. Now I'll explain.

This gold has--or rather silver-- Has its own n.o.ble story.

MAR. First the stove to replenish.

COL. So much cold has he suffered,

SCH. 'Twas an Englishman, then-- Lord, or mi-lord, as may be-- Desired a musician.

MAR. (_throwing_ COLLINE'S _books from the table_) Off! Let us furnish the table.

SCH. I flew to him.

RUD. Where is the food?

COL. There.

MAR. Here.

SCH. I pay my homage.

Accepted, I enquire--

COL. (_preparing the viands on the table while_ RUDOLPH _lights the other candle_) Here's cold roast beef.

MAR. And savory patty.

SCH. When shall we start the lessons?

When I seek him, in answer to my question, "When shall we start the lessons?"

He tells me "Now--at once.

Just look there,"