Shall I
call him?
MLLE. No, do not disturb him--he will come in good time--when
supper is ready.
MADAME. Dear me--I forgot to get bread when I went out to-day.
MLLE. Go to the baker's, then; we will wait.
[_Exit Madame. Pause._]
[_Enter the_ BISHOP. _He is an old man, gentle and kindly._]
BISHOP. I hope I have not kept you waiting, sister.
MLLE. No, brother, Madame has just gone out for bread. She
forgot it this morning.
BISHOP (_having seated himself by the fire_). The wind blows
cold from the mountains to-night.
MLLE. (_nodding_). All day it has been growing colder.
BISHOP. 'Twill bring great suffering to the poor.
MLLE. Who suffer too much already.
BISHOP. I would I could help them more than I do!
MLLE. You give all you have, my brother. You keep nothing for
yourself--you have only bare necessities.
BISHOP. Well, I have sent in a bill for carriage hire in making
pastoral visits.
MLLE. Carriage hire! I did not know you ever rode. Now I am
glad to hear that. A bishop should go in state sometimes. I venture to
say your bill is small.
BISHOP. Three thousand francs.
MLLE. Three thousand francs! Why, I cannot believe it!
BISHOP. Here is the bill.
MLLE. (_reading bill_). What is this!
EXPENSES OF CARRIAGE
For furnishing soup to hospital 1500 francs
For charitable society of D---- 500 "
For foundlings 500 "
For orphans 500 "
----
Total 3000 francs
So! that is your carriage hire! Ha, ha! I might have known it!
[_They laugh together.
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