This way, then. (They enter the Chalet.) You are as changing, Child,-as Men. NINON. But are they? Is it true, I mean? Who said it? NINETTE. Sister SERAPHINE. She was so pious and so good, With such sad eyes beneath her hood, And such poor little feet,-all bare! NINON. Ah, then it must be right. And yet, Suppose for once-suppose, NINETTE NINETTE. But what? NINON. Suppose it were not so? Suppose there were true men, you know! NINETTE. And then? NINON. Why, if that could occur, What kind of man should you prefer? NINETTE, What looks, you mean? NINON. Looks, voice and all. NINETTE. Well, as to that, he must be tall, NINON (touching her cheek suspiciously). NINETTE. Hush! Some one is coming. No; a thrush: NINON. Go on. NINETTE. Then he must fence, (ah, look, 'tis gone!) NINON. Shall I? Then mine has black, black hair... I mean he should have; then an air Half sad, half noble; features thin; A little royale on the chin; And such a pale, high brow. And then, He, too, can ride and fence and write And I, I swear On this old turquoise reliquaire,— My great-great Grandmother's!! (After a pause.) "GOOD-NIGHT, BABETTE!" "Si vieillesse pouvait !—" SCENE. A small neat Room. In a high Voltaire Chair sits a white-haired old Gentleman. MONSIEUR VIEUXBOIS. ВАВЕТТЕ. M. VIEUXBOIS (turning querulously). DAY of my life! Where can she get? BABETTE! I say! BABETTE!--Babette ! BABETTE (entering hurriedly). Coming, M'sieu'! If M'sieu' speaks So loud, he won't be well for weeks! |