My brother-in-law is right: but, while the matter is arranging, I propose to make a little collection among ourselves. That won’t prejudice you in any way and will keep you going for a time. SAINT ANTHONY I want to go away, please. I have other work to do. GUSTAVE Other work to do! Other work to do! What work can you have to do?... No, I can’t have that; and it’s not nice of you to suggest it. What would people say if they heard that we let you go like this after restoring the dear departed to us? If you won’t take money—and I understand your delicacy of feeling and approve of it—at least you will do us the pleasure of accepting a little keepsake? Oh, don’t be afraid: just a trifle, a cigar-holder, or a tie-pin, or a meerschaum pipe. I could have your name and address and the date engraved on it. SAINT ANTHONY No, thank you. I can accept nothing. GUSTAVE Do you mean that? SAINT ANTHONY I do. ACHILLE (_Taking out his cigar-case._) At any rate, you will do us the pleasure of smoking a cigar with us. You can’t refuse that. SAINT ANTHONY Thank you, I do not smoke. GUSTAVE You’re most discouraging. Still, what would you like? You must have a wish of some sort. You have only to speak, for everything is yours in this house, which you have filled with gladness. It’s all yours. I can’t say more than that. At least, all that one can honestly part with.... Why, it’s an insult to leave us like this! ACHILLE Look here, I have an idea that’s not half bad. As our friend won’t accept anything—and, like my brother-in-law, I understand his delicacy, of which, I am sure, we all approve; for life can’t be paid for and has no price—well, since he has shown a disinterested nature which at once makes him our equal, what I want to know is this: why should he not do us the honour of sitting down with us and helping us finish a luncheon which he has so happily interrupted!... What do you all say?... (_Murmurs of restrained approval._) GUSTAVE That’s it! The very thing! That settles everything! How clever of you to think of it!... (_To SAINT ANTHONY._) Well, what do you say?... By squeezing a bit, we can easily make room for you. You shall have the seat of honour. The partridges will be cold, but no matter: you have a good appetite, I feel sure!... Well, that’s arranged, eh? There will be no ceremony: we’re decent people and easy-going, as you see.... SAINT ANTHONY No, really. You must excuse me. I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m expected elsewhere. GUSTAVE Oh, come, you can’t refuse us this! Besides, who’s expecting you? SAINT ANTHONY Another corpse. GUSTAVE A corpse! Another corpse! It won’t run away! Surely you’re not going to put a corpse before us! To throw us over for a corpse! ACHILLE No, I see what it is. You would rather go down to the kitchen, wouldn’t you? You’d feel more comfortable there. GUSTAVE Then he can come up afterwards for coffee. ACHILLE