GERALD. But we had to! It was the only way to make him consent. SÉRAPHINE. But if your--patron? Employer? would give you an interest in the business? GERALD. Yes? SÉRAPHINE. Then Papa would have let me be married with--_to_ you? GERALD. Yes, dear, I know. My employer, however, doesn’t see it in that light. Wait three months, he says, and then we’ll see. Well, if your Papa refused, we had to do this. And here we are. SÉRAPHINE. You are right, dear; you always are. GERALD. And our elopement is at the expense of the company. SÉRAPHINE. Bad, bad boy! GERALD. And now I must leave you for a few minutes. I must send a telegram to the chief. SÉRAPHINE. And you will leave me all alone? What if I would wish for anything? GERALD. Well, you can speak English. (_Enter the_ CASHIER.) SÉRAPHINE. No, no--or only with those who also speak the French. I’m so afraid! GERALD. But, there must be an interpreter here--(_To the_ CASHIER) Isn’t there? CASHIER. Of course. He should be here in a moment. Meantime, the rooms are ready. GERALD. (_To_ SÉRAPHINE) I’ll take you up, and then run to the office. (_They go out, up-stage right._) CASHIER. (_To the_ PORTER, _who enters, center_) Why hasn’t our interpreter come yet? PORTER. Oh, Graham? He’s sick, but he’s sent another fellow in his place. He’s out in the hall now. CASHIER. Tell him to come in. (_The_ PORTER _goes out at the back, and beckons to someone in the hall. A moment later enter_ PERCY, _a respectable tramp. His clothes are well-worn, but not ragged, and they fit him rather tightly,--his trousers also are too short. He has not had a shave for some time. He tips his hat--an old “derby”--timidly, then walks slowly to the center of the stage, looking about uneasily. The_ CASHIER _addresses him somewhat sharply_) So you have come to take Mr. Graham’s place? (PERCY _nods_) You have been told the conditions, I believe; six shillings a day. Now understand, we want a good interpreter, serious and attentive to business. All you have to do is wait here until any foreigners come, and then help them. Understand? (PERCY _again nods_) Good. (_The_ CASHIER _goes out, up-stage left_) PERCY. (_To the_ PORTER, _after a short pause_) Many foreigners come here? PORTER. Oh, I don’t know! Few French now and then; depends on the season. PERCY. (_A little disturbed_) Oh--many foreigners just now? PORTER. Not so many. PERCY. (_A little more at ease_) Do you think any’ll come to-day? PORTER. Can’t say--Here, take your cap. (_He hands_ PERCY _a cap with the words “INTERPRÈTE” written on the front. The_ PORTER _then goes out at the back_)