PAUL [in a reverie]: Yes! All that has happened seems like the result of a conjurer's magic; like the wrath of an implacable Fate: the sudden death of my father, the old debts that came to light, followed by my total ruin, without my being able to discover the cause or to accuse anyone.
DOMINIQUE [affected]: What bad luck! We used to lead such a happy life together, travelling about.
PAUL: Calm yourself, my good Dominique, and speak no more of that time, so recent and yet so remote, when we journeyed only for pleasure through the Indies and the Orient. Let us have no more regrets! I must start afresh in the world to seek my fortune. [Appears lost in thought]
FATHER T.: The difficulty will be to catch it!
PAUL: It can be done, however, — with courage! [Turns to Dominique] And then, you have not abandoned me.
DOMINIQUE: NO, no! I have the utmost confidence in you, Monsieur; I have seen you work. Wouldn't it be a fine thing if we had at our command some of those good genii that interested you so much when we were in the East?
You remember, you consulted magicians who wore robes of all colours — green, yellow, blue — to say nothing of those who wore no shirts! And really, to look at you then, one would have thought you believed their idle tales.
PAUL: Perhaps I did. Why not? But I have delayed here too long. Adieu!
SCENE IV.
(Enter Jeanne)
MOTHER T.: What are you doing here, lazy girl?
PAUL [shocked]: Oh, how harsh you are!
MOTHER T.: And do you try to take her part against me, Monsieur Paul? Well, you were right just now — you'd better go away at once. She has. talked quite enough about you while you were abroad on your travels.
PAUL: What, little one, you did not forget me? You thought of me?
MOTHER T.: Thought of you, good heavens! For five years she has been continually talking about you. "Where is he? When will he come home?" She would ask for news of you from all the passing wagoners, and when the wind blew hard, she trembled for the safety of your ship.
FATHER T. [tries to drive Jeanne away]: Get along with you! This is none of your business. Go to your work!
PAUL [to Jeanne]: How you have grown! You have become quite a pretty girl. Will you allow me to kiss you? [Jeanne hangs her head]
DOMINIQUE: Come here, simpleton!
JEANNE [presents her forehead timidly; speaks in an agitated tone]: Are you going away?
PAUL: Yes, little one. I must. [Kisses her forehead]
JEANNE [approaches Dominique]: Good-bye, brother! [Turns to Father and Mother T.] He is going with Monsieur. He promised me he would go.
MOTHER T. [aside to Dominique]: And do you wish to go with him, now that he is ruined?
DOMINIQUE [aside]: Oh, we'll wait for some inheritance to turn up! And besides —
MOTHER T. [aside]: Well, I warn you, be careful!
DOMINIQUE [aside]: Besides, I say, I can come back again, if he does not succeed. Every one will be sure to speak of me as a model servitor, and that will sound very well! And if there should be a word or two about me in the newspapers — the sporting papers especially — so much the better. I have friends among the journalists!
FATHER T.: Well, at least, you will send us, from time to time —
DOMINIQUE: Impossible! my capital is — or will be — engaged. We know certain persons connected with the Bourse!
MOTHER T. [admiringly]: What a dashing fellow he is!
DOMINIQUE: But as soon as I obtain a responsible place —
FATHER T. [smilingly]: AH!
DOMINIQUE: I will let you know!
MOTHER T.: Well, take good care of yourself, at least.
DOMINIQUE: Never fear! Myself before all! That's one of my principles.
FATHER T.: And don't spend all your money in buying furbelows.
DOMINIQUE: Nonsense! I don't do that sort of thing any more. You may be sure I know too much for that.
MOTHER T.: Isn't he a clever boy?
DOMINIQUE: And now, old folks, good-night! Good appetite to you, and good health! You first. [Embraces his father] Now you. [Embraces his mother] That's done! Now let us be off!
PAUL: YOU see! In spite of my misfortune and distress he wishes to accompany me.
DOMINIQUE: SO long as you are willing, I am content.
“You could not get along without a valet, you know — it wouldn't be decent! I will have my livery turned and freshened up, put a new band on my hat, and we shall cut a great figure. Monsieur, at your service!
JEANNE [throws her arms around Dominique's neck]: Oh, my dear, good brother!
FATHER T. [to Dominique]: Be careful!
DOMINIQUE: Yes! yes!
MOTHER T.: Listen to me!
DOMINIQUE: Don't worry on my account. [Moves away]
FATHER T.: Come back to us again.
DOMINIQUE: Oh, we shall see each other, never fear.
MOTHER T.: My poor boy!
DOMINIQUE [runs off]: I will write to you.
PAUL [to Father and Mother T.]: I cannot prevent him from going. Farewell! farewell! Be comforted! We go to make our fortunes! [Exit.
SCENE V.
FATHER T. [in a reverie]: To make their fortunes! To become a gentleman, sleek and well-fed; to own property, fields, woods, a mill; to put on a bold face to everyone — ah, that would be fine!
MOTHER T.: That it would! [To Jeanne] As for you, you can get out and go to digging, instead of spending hours staring at the sky.
JEANNE: But ever since daylight —
MOTHER T.: Bah! I've had enough of your laziness!
FATHER T.: Listen! I have an idea.
MOTHER T.: Well, has it anything to do with us?
FATHER T.: Perhaps. Suppose we send Jeanne to Paris?
JEANNE: Send me to Paris — all alone — in the great city! Oh!
MOTHER T.: Bless me! More than one girl has gone away from here in wooden shoes, and has come back wearing fine clothes. Who knows? [Looks sharply at Jeanne] She's not so ugly, after all. [Pause] Well, why not? I have decided. You shall start to-morrow morning.
JEANNE: Oh, I beg you —
MOTHER T.: We shall spare nothing to start you off well. Your father and I know how to make sacrifices, don't we, Thomas? First, you shall have my red cape, and with one of my old caps to go with it, you will look very well. You see, my Jeannette, you must learn how to use a little coquetry, but in the right way — so as to make the grass grow, you understand! — and so that you can help take care of your parents, your good, kind parents!
JEANNE: But what will become of me all alone in Paris? I shall not know how to find my way about in the streets.
MOTHER T.: Pshaw! There are plenty of people who will be kind enough to show you the way.
JEANNE: But I don't know any one there.
MOTHER T.: Isn't Dominique there? And he has many fine acquaintances — bankers, military men, all the government people.
JEANNE: No, no! I should never dare to go.
MOTHER T.: To say nothing of Monsieur Paul, who would be delighted to see you.
JEANNE: HE! Delighted to see a poor girl like me!
FATHER T.: But, you little idiot —
MOTHER T. [aside]: Shut up, will you! You don't know how to manage her! [To Jeanne] Take your choice: Paris, and my beautiful gold buckle, or stay at home and [makes gesture signifying a box on the ear]
JEANNE [resigned]: Very well! I will go.
MOTHER T.: That's right! But you needn't think you've nothing to do to-day but fold your hands. Go back to your work, and be quick about it. .
JEANNE: At once.
FATHER T.: Come this way.
MOTHER T.: No, go that way.
JEANNE [bewildered]: I don't know where you wish me to go!
MOTHER T. [gives Jeanne a slap]: There, that'll show you! [Jeanne weeps] FATHER T.: That's right! Whine, cry, bawl! [Exeunt, Father and Mother T. pushing Jeanne before them]
SCENE VI.
(The Fairies run lightly upon the stage)
A FAIRY: Ah, the cruel old man! Happily, the young are more kind and gentle, and among them we have discovered two pure hearts.
A FAIRY: That is true. But how will the youth ever learn to care for a little maid so simple, so poor, so ragged?
QUEEN: TO US is given the work of creating this love, and our fate depends upon our efforts. But how shall we give the key of the secret to only one of these two hearts? Hasten, my sisters! Let us decide. Which shall it be?
FAIRIES [together, confusedly]: He! She! No, no! She! He! He! She!
QUEEN: Silence! It shall be the youth, because Jeanne has her ignorance and her humble condition as a safeguard. Paul, on the contrary, is exposed every day to all the snares of the wicked Gnomes. It is he we should warn, at the proper time, and do our utmost to protect within the limit permitted to us. [Moves about among the Fairies, giving them instructions; then all sing] Sisters fair, be prudent, Our plan shall then succeed)
GNOMES (their voices come from under the stage]: Ha! ha! ha!
FAIRIES [pause suddenly]: What was that? An echo, without doubt. [All sing.]
Sisters dear, be prudent, Our plan shall then succeed!
(The subterranean laughter increases to a burst of wild gaiety. Through a trap-door appears a throng of Gnomes, strange and ugly little men, with enormous heads. They laugh louder and dance around the Fairies, who flee from them in terror)
SECOND TABLEAU. THE MAGIC PUNCH-BOWL.
Scene: A wine shop in a suburb of Parts. Early morning.
SCENE I.
(The Innkeeper, Paul Dominique, weary and covered with dust, sit beside a table, on which stand a bottle of wine, two glasses, an inkstand and a packet of sealed letters. Several farmers are just leaving the room)
ARMERS: Good-bye, Father Michel!
INNKEEPER: Good luck, boys! [To Paul and Dominique.] And now, as you are served, gentlemen, and as it is still very early in the morning, you will excuse me if I leave you for awhile and try to catch another little nap. [Goes behind the counter, mounts a low platform and sits in a chair, leans his head on his arms and falls asleep]
PAUL [shows the packet of letters to Dominique]: You understand? As soon as we arrive in Paris, you are to distribute these letters.
DOMINIQUE [takes packet]: I understand. [Reads the superscriptions] "To Monsieur the Vicomte Alfred de Cisy." Good! There's a man whose debts you have often paid for him. But what is his address?
PAUL: YOU must inquire at his club.
DOMINIQUE [reads]: "To Monsieur Onésime Dubois, artist, Rue de l'Abbaye." Many a time have you bought bad pictures of him! [Reads] "To Professor Letourneux, member of several religious and philanthropic societies." I know him! It was your father who introduced him everywhere in Paris. [Reads] "To Doctor Colombel."
PAUL: He was our family physician, you remember.
DOMINIQUE [reads]: "To Monsieur Bou — Bou — Bouvignard."
PAUL: Yes, the amateur collector of faïence.
DOMINIQUE: TO be sure! That little man who always dropped in at breakfast time — I remember! [Reads] "To Monsieur Macaret, at his factory." Ha! that gentleman was very glad to be accommodated with the loan of a certain sum when he wanted to set himself up in business! [Shuffles the letters through his hands, muttering] Very well, very well! I know all those streets; I have been there. How many friends you have! Peers of France, bankers, professors, artists — all Paris!
PAUL [sighs]. After my five years' absence perhaps they have forgotten me. But there are some good fellows, I know, that will remember me. Here! [Points to letters] Divide them into two packets. Deliver these first, then the others.
INNKEEPER [suddenly awakes and falls off his chair]: Coming, gentlemen!
DOMINIQUE: NO one called you.
INNKEEPER [Jyawns]: A-h-h-h! (Returns to his chair and sleeps]
PAUL: Note especially any signs of apartments to let, and engage for me a small room that will not be too dear.
DOMINIQUE: Is it important which floor it may be on, Monsieur?
PAUL: NO. I do not care.
INNKEEPER [awakes and falls off his chair again]: Coming! coming!
DOMINIQUE [jumps up startled]: Our host has very busy dreams, evidently! [Sits] Oh, it's good to rest a bit! My knees feel as if they were broken and my head seems hollow.
PAUL [stands]: That is because we walked all night. Poor boy! Come, finish the bottle. [Dominique drinks] Drink to me, too, for my heart almost fails me. Just as I am about to enter upon a new life, I feel a vague trouble in my mind; it is as powerful as the malady that overcomes us when we set out on a long voyage. Come, let us go. Get up!
SCENE II.
(A Stranger enters very quietly; he wears the long frock-coat of a prosperous bourgeois, and a cap with the brim turned up. He wears a beard also, and carries a stick with a leather thong. Sits at one of the tables, observing Paul and Dominique with flaming eyes. Rain is heard falling without)
DOMINIQUE: There! it rains! We shall have to wait here now, since our equipage has not arrived in time to take us to Paris.
PAUL: DO you remember that the last time we drove together we were in a post-chaise with four horses?
DOMINIQUE: Yes, and I was on the box; I paid the postilions! And to-day we have to wait for an omnibus!
STRANGER [rises, with a polite salutation]: The omnibus from the suburbs does not start until half-past eight every morning, Monsieur. [Paul and Dominique turn and look at the Stranger] You are strangers, gentlemen, I think. Monsieur is travelling for pleasure, undoubtedly. If you require anyone to show you about the city, I could recommend to you some of my relatives. [Paul and Dominique continue to look at him without speaking] B-r-r-r! [Shivers] How cold it is! I should be glad to have something hot to drink. Hey, garçon! Bring me some punch! [Innkeeper springs up clumsily, as before, and exit R. The Stranger calls after him] Plenty of sugar, lemon, and cognac, and be quick about it! If you gentlemen would do me the honour to join me —
(Enter Maid-servant carrying a bowl)
DOMINIQUE: With pleasure, Monsieur, — you are too kind! [The Maid has scarcely placed the bowl upon the table when a small flame springs up from its interior] But there was nothing in that bowl a moment ago! That's very queer! [To the Stranger] Aha! tell me, Monsieur, didn't you have it in your pocket all the time? You are a conjurer, a magician. This is great sport! Here's a chap that comes to an inn with ready-made punch in his pocket!
STRANGER: I do not understand a word you are saying, my dear fellow. [Gives money to Maid] Go and get me some cigars from the little shop in the second street from here; turn to the right as you enter the door and get them from the third shelf. I have a favourite box there, and the people of the shop know me. [Exit Maid] Now, Monsieur, to your good health!
(Paul has reseated himself; leans on his elbow, deep in thought)
STRANGER [points to the punch-bowl]: Well, Monsieur, is it because I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance that you will not drink?
DOMINIQUE [conciliatingly]: You see, my poor master is troubled; it is not that he is too proud —
PAUL [starts up]: No! Heaven knows I have nothing to boast of now! [Crosses to table where Dominique and the Stranger sit and sits beside them]
STRANGER: And so you have come to seek your fortune in the great city?
PAUL: Who told you that? .
STRANGER: YOU yourself, Monsieur.
PAUL: In what way?
STRANGER: Just now, when you were speaking to your servant.
PAUL: Well, really, it seems to me —
STRANGER: Pardon me, Monsieur, but — I know all! And as it is my business to keep a kind of bureau of general information, and to seek for customers in all classes of society, I thought it might be to my interest if I offered my services to you.
DOMINIQUE: You're refreshingly frank, at any rate!
STRANGER: Possibly Monsieur purposes to seek some employment under government?
PAUL [roughly]: No!
STRANGER: Or to inte
rest himself in finance, diplomacy, or in railways?
PAUL: HOW do I know what I shall do?
STRANGER: In commerce, perhaps, or in art.
DOMINIQUE: That's it! My master is one of those men that can paint a picture in two hours, as large as that! [Makes gesture]
STRANGER [bows ironically]: Ah, Monsieur is an artist? And he expects to make his fortune! Let us respect his ambition!
Complete Works of Gustave Flaubert Page 424
