_Célie_--God, do you say? When good people forgive they betray his justice. For punishment is not retribution only, but the acknowledgment and recompense of those fighting ones that brave hunger and cold in a garret, Madame, yet do not surrender. _Clorinde_--Go, child! I cannot bear more-- _Célie_--I have said more than I meant to say. Good-by. This is the first and last time that I shall ever speak of this. [_She goes_.] A CONTENTED IDLER From 'M. Poirier's Son-in-Law' [_The party are leaving the dining-room._] _Gaston_--Well, Hector! What do you think of it? The house is just as you see it now, every day in the year. Do you believe there is a happier man in the world than I? _Duke_--Faith! I envy you; you reconcile me to marriage. _Antoinette_ [_in a low voice to Verdelet_]--Monsieur de Montmeyran is a charming young man! _Verdelet_ [_in a low voice_]--He pleases me. _Gaston_ [_to Poirier, who comes in last_]--Monsieur Poirier, I must tell you once for all how much I esteem you. Don't think I'm ungrateful. _Poirier_--Oh! Monsieur! _Gaston_--Why the devil don't you call me Gaston? And you, too, dear Monsieur Verdelet, I'm very glad to see you. _Antoinette_--He is one of the family, Gaston. _Gaston_--Shake hands then, Uncle. _Verdelet_ [_aside, giving him his hand_]--He's not a bad fellow. _Gaston_--Agree, Hector, that I've been lucky. Monsieur Poirier, I feel guilty. You make my life one long fête and never give me a chance in return. Try to think of something I can do for you. _Poirier_--Very well, if that's the way you feel, give me a quarter of an hour. I should like to have a serious talk with you. _Duke_--I'll withdraw. _Poirier_--No, stay, Monsieur. We are going to hold a kind of family council. Neither you nor Verdelet will be in the way. _Gaston_--The deuce, my dear father-in-law. A family council! You embarrass me! _Poirier_--Not at all, dear Gaston. Let us sit down. [_They seat themselves around the fireplace_.] _Gaston_--Begin, Monsieur Poirier. _Poirier_--You say you are happy, dear Gaston, and that is my greatest recompense. _Gaston_--I'm willing to double your gratification. _Poirier_--But now that three months have been given to the joys of the honeymoon, I think that there has been romance enough, and that it's time to think about history. _Gaston_--You talk like a book. Certainly, we'll think about history if you wish. I'm willing. _Poirier_--What do you intend to do? _Gaston_--To-day? _Poirier_--And to-morrow, and in the future. You must have some idea. _Gaston_--True, my plans are made. I expect to do to-day what I did yesterday, and to-morrow what I shall do to-day. I'm not versatile, in spite of my light air; and if the future is only like the present I'll be satisfied. _Poirier_--But you are too sensible to think that the honeymoon can last forever. _Gaston_--Too sensible, and too good an astronomer. But you've probably read Heine? _Poirier_--You must have read that, Verdelet?