The Cooper

Here is the minx. (abruptly) Where do you come from?

From Madeleine’s house.

What do you have there?

It is a cake that Madeleine gave me to share with Colin.

And have you seen Colin?

No, really.

Look at me here; let me see if you are lying.

I am not lying, ask someone else if you must.

Listen, Fanchette; do not be angry; for everything I have done up until now is for your own good; I have just dismissed Colin, he is a bad sort, a libertine, promise me not to see that rascal again.

You have dismissed Colin? why then? what harm has he done?

What harm? he is too young, for one thing; and then too lazy when I am at home, and too lively when I am not. In short, it is enough, he displeases me.

But he is full of attention for me.

Too bad, by God, too bad, that is exactly the problem.

But see what a great problem that is.