“I have difficulty in remembering my song to the tune of Le Maçon: ‘Je vais la revoir! Ha! ha!’--Never mind, I will execute a pirouette.--I say, Lolotte, I look pretty well, don’t I? Isn’t my complexion clear?” “Yes, you are magnificent.--By the way, my dear, I forgot to tell you that I have invited that gentleman who owns the fine estate on the other side of our woods.” “Who? Monsieur Malberg? that man who never speaks to anybody, who never walks where there is likely to be anybody; in short, who lives in his country house like a wolf, never seeing any of his neighbors?” “I know very well that the people about here say all that; but people are so spiteful, so evil-tongued in these country places! They make a pumpkin of a walnut. This much is certain, that that gentleman has always been very courteous to us; he always bows first when we meet; and he has a very distinguished manner.” “Why do you say that?” “Why, his whole air, and his dress; and then he employs a mulatto, and that is very distinguished!” “It doesn’t cost any more than other servants.--‘Je vais la revoir! Ha! ha!’” “And yesterday, during the day, I happened to meet him in the narrow path, and as he stood aside very politely to let me pass, I said to him: ‘Monsieur, we are to have some theatricals to-morrow in our little theatre in these woods; if it would give you any pleasure to come to look on, we should be flattered to have you in our audience.’--He bowed and replied: ‘You do me much honor, madame, and I shall try to take advantage of your kind invitation.’” “Oh! he said that, did he? But he won’t come.” “Perhaps not, but I have an idea that he will.” “After all, you did well; there is always room in our theatre, and the larger the audience we have, the more they electrify the actors.--‘Je vais la revoir! Ha! ha!’--Tell me what comes next.” “How do you suppose I know? You should learn your part.” “Thanks! Tire out my brain and give myself a fever--I’m no such fool; if I don’t know it, I’ll say the first thing that comes into my head.--But Astianax and Eolinde,--where are they?” “They are learning their parts, and it isn’t possible to get near them!” About noon, the actors began to arrive. There were Dufournelle and his wife; the husband carried an enormous bundle, for the ladies all brought their stage costumes and their ball dresses. Next, Mademoiselle Polymnie appeared with her father, Monsieur Camuzard, who also carried a bundle; then Monsieur Mangeot and his sister, each of them with a bundle. “Why have you brought so many things,” said Glumeau, “since Chambourdin promised the costumes?” “Oh, yes! catch us relying on Monsieur Chambourdin!” said Madame Dufournelle; “I have made my own costume; I have the part of a cook, and I have borrowed my servant’s cap.” Monsieur Camuzard, who was annoyed because no part had been given to him, kept repeating: