44
A LEGHORN HAT
ACT V
- A city square, with streets radiating to right and left. In the foreground, a little to the right, is Fadinard's house. Another next it. To the left, foreground, a military post, with a sentry box. It is night. The scene is illuminated by a lamp which hangs from a wire which crosses the stage diagonally. A guard mount is in progress. Twelve o'clock is striking. Several soldiers issue from the post.
- A Corporal.—Midnight! Whose trick at guard duty?
- Guards.—Tardiveau's!
- Tardiveau.—But, Trouillebert, I have stood three turns day-duty, to be exempted for tonight ... I catch cold so easily...
- Corporal (Laughing).—Silence, Jackanapes! A fellow like you never catches cold... (Laughter.) Come, shoulder arms! And we, gentlemen, forward march! (They go out.)
- Tardiveau (Alone).—Placing his rifle and shako in the sentry box, and putting on a muffler of black silk. Ouf! How warm it is! That is the way one catches bad colds. Fires hotter than hades inside there. In vain I told Trouillebert: "Trouillebert, you're putting on too many faggots!" Ah, yes! And now I'm perspiring. I'd like to put on a flannel vest. (Undoes two or three buttons of his tunic.) No, ladies might come along! Oh, well! (Stretches out his hand.) It's beginning to rain. (Wraps himself in his military cloak.) Ah, perfect! Let it rain, now! (Shelters himself inside the sentry box. Enter the wedding party, at the left, with umbrellas. Nonancourt is still carrying the myrtle. Bobin is escorting Hélène. Vézinet, who has no umbrella takes shelter, now under one, now under another but the movements of the crowd always leave him uncovered.)
- Nonancourt (Entering first).—This way, children, step this way! Look out for the gutter! (Jumps it. The rest do likewise.) What a wedding!
- Hélène (Looking about her).—Ah, Papa, and my husband!
- Nonancourt.—Oh, well, we've lost him again!
- Hélène.—I can't go on!
- Bobin.—It's hard work...!
- A Gentleman.—My legs have given out!
- Nonancourt.—Luckily, I changed my shoes...
