THeReSE. The conditions here are very different from those at Duriot's.

FeLIAT. All the same, find out what you can.

THeReSE. I will, at once. [_She goes towards the door_]

FeLIAT. Whatever happens we must send off that Brazilian order. How is it getting on?

THeReSE. We shall have everything ready in three days. I'll go and inquire about the other thing.

[_She goes out_]

FeLIAT. Good.

GUeRET. Three days isn't the end of the world. I think I can promise you to keep my men as long as that.

FeLIAT. If it's absolutely necessary, one might make them some little concessions.

GUeRET. I'll do all I can.

FeLIAT. Yes. And if they're too exacting, we'll let them go, and the women shall get the stuff finished up for us. [_There is a knock at the door_] Come in.

_Rene comes in._

GUeRET. Hullo!

FeLIAT. Rene!

GUeRET. You or your ghost?

FeLIAT. Where do you come from? n.o.body's heard of you for a hundred years.

RENe. Come now, only six months, and you've had some news.

FeLIAT. Where are you from last?

RENe. From Tunis.

GUeRET. And what are you doing here?

RENe. I'll tell you all about it. I want to have a bit of a talk with you.

FeLIAT. Well, we're listening.

GUeRET. You're mighty solemn about it.

RENe. It's extremely serious business.

FeLIAT. Don't be tragic. You're here safe and sound; and you've not lost money, because you'd none to lose.

RENe. I've come to marry Therese.

GUeRET. Well, I must say you don't beat about the bush.

FeLIAT. But it's to your own people you've got to say that. What the devil--! Therese has no more money than she had a year ago. So--

RENe. I'll marry her in spite of them.

GUeRET. Well, we've nothing to do with it.

RENe. Yes, but I don't want to marry her in spite of you.

FeLIAT. Nor in spite of herself.

RENe. I'm certain she won't say no.

FeLIAT. But a year ago you solemnly separated; you both agreed everything was over.

RENe. Nothing was over. A year ago I was a fool.

GUeRET. To the point again.

FeLIAT. And what are you now?

RENe. At any rate I am not quite useless any longer. I'm not a boy now, obliged to do what he's told because he's perfectly incapable of doing for himself.

FeLIAT. Have you found something to do?

RENe. I'm in phosphates.

FeLIAT. And what the devil are you in phosphates?

RENe. Representative.

FeLIAT. How do you mean?

RENe. A commercial traveller, as father said with great contempt.

GUeRET. Well, it was not with a view to that sort of future that he had you called to the Bar.

RENe. At the Bar I could have earned my own living in about ten years--possibly. When I had to give up marrying Therese I saw how useless I was. Thanks to her I found myself out. She gave me a bit of her own courage. She woke up my self-respect. Besides, after that I had something to work for, an aim, and I seemed to understand why I was alive. I worked and read a lot; my firm noticed me; they sent me to Tunis. I asked them to let me give up clerk work and have a try on my own. Over there I got into touch with three small firms. I placed their goods. I earn four hundred francs a month. Next year I mean to start a little branch in this district where we will manufacture superphosphates. From now until then I shall travel about the district and try and get customers; and my wife--and Therese--will go on with her work here, if you will be so good as to keep her.

GUeRET. Ouf! Think of a young man who can talk as long as that, without taking breath, giving up the Bar. What a pity!

FeLIAT [_to Rene_] Have you told all that to your people?

RENe. Yes. They're not at all proud of my business. And after refusing to let me marry Therese because she had no money they won't let me marry her now because she works for her living. To be directress of a bindery, even of your bindery, uncle, is not distinguished enough for them.

FeLIAT. Well, my boy, you certainly couldn't have stood up to things like that a year ago. What d'you want us to do for you? Therese doesn't want our consent to marry; nor do you.