MADAME BAIL [_ironically_]. Exactly! How would you like it if--? LAMBLIN. Don't joke about such things! MADAME BAIL. You needn't worry! Catch me marrying again! LAMBLIN [_timidly_]. There is a great deal to be said for the happiness of married life. MADAME BAIL. For the men! LAMBLIN. For every one. Is not the hearth a refuge, a sacred spot, where both man and woman find sweet rest after a day's work? Deny it, Mother. Here we are, the three of us, each doing what he likes to do, in our comfortable little home, talking together happily. The mind is at rest, and the heart quiet. Six years of family life have brought us security in our affection, and rendered us kind and indulgent toward one another. It is ineffably sweet, and brings tears to the eyes. [_He starts to take a sip of cognac._] MARTHE [_preventing him_]. Especially when one is a little--lit up! MADAME BAIL. Marthe, that's not at all nice of you! LAMBLIN [_to Madame Bail_]. Ah, you're the only one who understands me, Mother! Now, little one, you're going to give me a cigar, one of those on the table. MARTHE [_giving him a cigar_]. Lazy! He can't even stretch his arm out! LAMBLIN. You see, I prefer to have my little wife serve me and be nice to me. MADAME BAIL [_looking at them both_]. Shall I go? LAMBLIN. Why should you? MADAME BAIL. Well--because-- LAMBLIN [_understanding_]. Oh! No, no, stay with us and tell us stories. The little one is moody and severe, I don't dare risk putting my arm around her. Her religion forbids her--expanding! MADAME BAIL. Then you don't think I'll be in the way? LAMBLIN. You, Mother! I tell you, the day I took it into my head to bring you here to live with us, I was an extremely clever man. It's most convenient to have you here. Men of business like me haven't the time to spend all their leisure moments with their wives. Very often, after a day's work at the office, I'm not at liberty to spend the evening at home: I must return to the office, you know. MARTHE. As you did yesterday! LAMBLIN. As I did yesterday. And when I take it into my head to stroll along the boulevard-- MADAME BAIL. Or elsewhere! LAMBLIN. You insist on your little joke, Mother. If, I say, I take it into my head to go out, there's the little one all alone. You came here to live with us, and now my conscious is easy: I leave my little wife in good hands. I need not worry. There were a thousand liberties I never indulged in before you came. Now I take them without the slightest scruple. MADAME BAIL. How kind of you! LAMBLIN. Don't you think so, little one? MARTHE. I believe that Mamma did exactly the right thing. LAMBLIN. You see, I want people to be happy. It is not enough that I should be: every one must be who is about me. I can't abide selfish people. MADAME BAIL. You're right! LAMBLIN. And it's so easy not to be! [_A pause._] There is only one thing worrying me now: I brought a whole package of papers with me from the office, which I must sign.