Mercadet Absolutely none! And you are going to lock me up? I warn him who is going to pay for the cab that he won't be reimbursed from any assets of mine. Goulard I shall add that along with all that you owe me to the debit of your account-- Mercadet Thank you. You've all made up your mind, I suppose? The Creditors We have. Mercadet I am touched by your unanimity! (pulling out his watch) Two o'clock. (Aside) De la Brive has had quite time enough--he ought to be on his way here. (Aloud) Gentlemen, you compel me to admit that you are men of inspiration and have chosen your time well! Pierquin What does he mean? Mercadet For months, for years, you have allowed yourselves to be humbugged by fine promises, and deceived--yes, deceived by preposterous stories; and to-day is the day you choose for showing yourselves inexorable! Upon my word and honor, it is positively amusing! By all means let us start for Clichy. Goulard But, sir-- Pierquin He is laughing. Violette (rising from his chair) There is something in the wind. Gentlemen, there is something in the wind! Pierquin Please explain to us-- Goulard We desire to know-- Violette (rising to his feet) M. Mercadet, if there is anything--tell us about it. Mercadet (coming to the table) Nothing! I shall say nothing, not I--I wish to be put behind the bars!--I would like to see the figure you all will cut to-morrow or this evening, when you find he has returned. Goulard (rising to his feet) He has returned? Pierquin Returned from where? Violette Who has returned? Mercadet (coming forward) Nobody has returned. Let us start for Clichy, gentlemen. Goulard But listen, if you are expecting any assistance-- Pierquin If you have any hope that-- Violette Or if even some considerable legacy-- Goulard Come, now! Pierquin Answer-- Violette Tell us-- Mercadet Now, take care, I beg you. You are giving way, you are giving way, gentlemen, and if I wished to take the trouble, I could win you over again. Come now, act like genuine creditors! Ridicule the past, forget the brilliant strokes of business I put within the power of each of you before the sudden departure of my faithful Godeau-- Goulard His faithful Godeau! Pierquin Ah! If there were only-- Mercadet Forget all that preposterous past, take no account of what might induce him to return--after being waited for so long--and--let us start for Clichy, gentlemen, let us start for Clichy! Violette Mercadet, you are expecting Godeau, aren't you? Mercadet No! Violette (as with a sudden inspiration) Gentlemen, he is expecting Godeau! Goulard Can it be true? Pierquin Speak. All Speak! Speak! Mercadet (with feeble deprecations) Why, no, no--yet I do not know--I-- Certainly, it is possible that some day or other he may return form the Indies with some-- considerable fortune-- (In a decided tone) But I give you my word of honor that I don't expect Godeau here to-day.