Is it--is it--ah--I know where it is. It’s behind the pewter pot! PIERROT Right! (_She runs up and gets the package, opens it and discovers a necklace of gay, red beads._) PIERRETTE Why--Pierrot--for me? PIERROT (_making believe to consider_) Well, that depends. I thought it was for you. But if you’re going away-- PIERRETTE But why did you get it for me? PIERROT Do you want to know, sweetheart? PIERRETTE Yes. Pierrot (_dances_) Old Mister Pierrot Went to a shop; Then he came back again-- Hop--skip--hop! PIERRETTE But that isn’t the _reason_, Pierrot. Be sensible. PIERROT (_continues_) Old Mister Pierrot Was blue, blue, blue-- Along came a tinker-man And showed him what to do! PIERROT Pierrette, I’ve come to a conclusion! PIERRETTE (_apprehensively_) Not another conclusion, Pierrot? PIERROT Yes. I’m great on conclusions. It’s this: that most husbands, with adorable wives, are donkeys! PIERRETTE Oh, but I knew that long ago--ever since I married you. PIERROT You knew it all that time? PIERRETTE Of course. PIERROT Then how were you able to put up with me? PIERRETTE Oh, I knew you’d discover it some day; and when you did discover it, you’d be such a _nice_ donkey. Pierrot, I’ve come to a conclusion myself! PIERROT (_apprehensively_) You, too, Pierrette? What is it? PIERRETTE That most wives, with clever husbands, are silly geese! PIERROT (_heartily_) Why, I’ve known that, Pierrette, ever since I married _you_. I didn’t think I ought to tell you, though. PIERRETTE And I don’t blame you, Pierrot--not for a minute--for wanting me to go away. PIERROT (_fervently_) I want you back, now! PIERRETTE But I _am_ going away, Pierrot! PIERROT Pierrette! PIERRETTE Not now, Pierrot--but some time! (_As the curtain falls, they bend quickly toward each other, their hands stretched out behind, and kiss._) Four Plays of the Free Theater: “The Fossils,” “The Serenade,” “Francoise’ Luck,” “The Dupe.” Authorized Translation with Introduction by BARRETT H. CLARK _The Contents of this Volume are_: Preface by----Brieux Antoine and the Free Theater, by Barrett H. Clark. _The Fossils_, by Francois de Curel. Rather short three-act play, first produced in 1892. Time, the present. A problem play of family pride and desire to perpetuate itself. Characters: The Duke de Chartmelle, Robert de Chartmelle, Nicolas, a Farmer, a Country Neighbor, a Servant, Claire de Chartmelle, Helen Vatrin, a Nun. _The Serenade_, by Jean Jullien, a Bourgeois Study in three rather short acts; first produced in 1887. Characters: Theodore Cottin, Calixte Poujade, Maxine Champanet, Prosper Poujade, Dumoulin, Fournier, Nathelie Cottin, Genevieve Cottin, Celina Roulard, Leocadie, Dumoulin, Clemma, Dodo. _Francoise’ Luck_, by Georges de Porto-Riche. Medium length, one-act comedy; first produced in 1888. Characters: Marcel Desroches, Guerin, Jean, Francois, Maseleine.