PREFECT. I insist, but as I told you, in your own interest. You realize, besides, that I might have the legal right to question her.... PONZA. I see, I see! So that's it! An official investigation! Well, why not, after all? I will bring my wife here, just to end the whole matter. But how can you guarantee me that this poor old lady next door will not catch sight of her? PREFECT. Why, I hadn't thought of that! She does live right next door. AGAZZI (_speaking up_). We are perfectly willing to go to Signor Ponza's house. PONZA. No, no, I was just thinking of you people. I don't want you to play any more tricks on me. Any mistakes might have the most frightful consequences, set her going again! AGAZZI. You're not very fair to us, Ponza, it seems to me. PREFECT. Or you might bring your wife to my office, rather.... PONZA. No, no! Since you're going to question her anyway, we might as well get through with it. We'll bring her here, right here. I'll keep an eye on my mother-in-law myself. We'll have her here right away, governor, and get an end of this nonsense once and for all, once and for all! (_He hurries away through the rear exit_.) PREFECT. I confess I was not expecting so much opposition on his part. AGAZZI. Ah, you'll see. He'll go and cook up with his wife just what she's to say! PREFECT. Oh, don't worry as to that! I'll question the woman myself. SIRELLI. But he's more excited than he's ever been before. PREFECT. Well, I confess I never saw him just in this state of mind. Perhaps it is the sense of outrage he feels in having to bring his wife.... SIRELLI, In having to let her loose for once, you ought to say! PREFECT. A man isn't necessarily crazy because he wants to keep an eye on his wife. AGAZZI. Of course he says it's to protect her from the mother-in-law. PREFECT. I wasn't thinking of just that--he may be jealous of the woman! SIRELLI. Jealous to the extent of refusing her a servant? For you know, don't you, he makes his wife do all the housework? AGAZZI. And he does all the marketing himself every morning. COMMISSIONER. That's right, governor! I've had him shadowed. An errand boy from the market carries the stuff as far as the door. SIRELLI. But he never lets the boy inside. PREFECT. Dear me, dear me! He excused himself for that servant business when I took the matter up with him. LAUDISI. And that's information right from the source! PREFECT. He says he does it to save money. LAUDISI. He has to keep two establishments on one salary.