(RUDOLPH _strikes a flint on steel, lights a candle, and goes to the stove with_ MARCEL; _together they set fire to a part of the MS. thrown into the fireplace; then both draw up their chairs and sit down, delightedly warming themselves._) RUD. How joyous the rays! MAR. How cheerful the blaze! (_The door at the back opens violently, and_ COLLINE _enters frozen and nipped up, stamping his feet, and throwing angrily on the table a bundle of books tied up in a handkerchief_.) COL. Surely miracles apocalyptic are dawning! For Christmas eve they honor by allowing no pawning! (_Checks himself, seeing a fire in the stove._) See I a fire here? RUD. (_to_ COLLINE) Gently, it is my drama. COL. In blazes! I find it very sparkling. RUD. Brilliant! (_the fire languishes_) COL. Too short its phrases. RUD. Brevity's deemed a treasure. COL. (_taking the chair from_ RUDOLPH) Your chair pray give me, author. MAR. These foolish entr'actes merely make us shiver. Quickly! RUD. (_taking another portion of the_ MS.) Here is the next act. MAR. (_to_ COLLINE) Hush! not a whisper. (RUDOLPH _tears up the_ MS. _and throws it into the fireplace; the flames revive._ COLLINE _moves his chair nearer and warms his hands._ RUDOLPH _is standing near the two with the rest of the_ MS.) COL. How deep the thought is! MAR. Color how true! RUD. In that blue smoke my drama is dying Full of its love-scenes ardent and new. COL. A leaf see crackle! MAR. Those were all the kisses. RUD. (_throwing the remaining_ MS. _on the fire_) Three acts at once I desire to hear. COL. Only the daring can dream such visions. RUD., MAR. and COL. Dreams that in flame soon disappear. (_Applaud enthusiastically; the flame diminishes._) MAR. Ye gods! see the leaves well-nigh perished. COL. How vain is the drama we cherished. MAR. They crackle! they curl up! they die! MAR. and COL. The author--down with him, we cry. (_From the middle door two boys enter, carrying provisions and fuel; the three friends turn, and with a surprised cry, seize the provisions and place them on the table._ COLLINE _carries the wood to the fireplace._) RUD. Fuel! MAR. Wine, too! COL. Cigars! RUD. Fuel! MAR. Bordeaux! RUD., MAR. and COL. The abundance of a feast day We are destined yet to know. (_Exeunt the two boys_) (_Enter_ SCHAUNARD.) SCH. (_triumphantly throwing some coins on the ground_) Such wealth in the balance Outweighs the Bank of France. COL. (_assisting_ RUDOLPH _and_ MARCEL _to pick up the coins_) Then, take them--then, take them. MAR. (_incredulously_) Tin medals? Inspect them. SCH. (_showing one to_ MARCEL) You're deaf then, or blear-eyed? What face do they show? RUD. (_bowing_) King Louis Philippe: to my monarch I bow. RUD., MAR., SCH. and COL. Shall King Louis Philippe at our feet thus lie low? (SCHAUNARD _will go on recounting his good luck, but the others continue to arrange everything on the table._)