Comedy Of Marriage And Other Tales - novelonlinefull.com
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And have you never had--this sort of accident? [_Points to the cradle_.]
MME. FLACHE
No.
LA BABIN
How did that come?
MME. FLACHE [_rises and approaches the mantelpiece_]
Probably because I was a midwife.
LA BABIN
Well, I know one in your profession who has had five.
MME. FLACHE [_with contempt_]
She evidently did not come from Paris.
LA BABIN
That's true; she came from Courbevoie.
MUSOTTE [_in a feeble voice_] Is no one there?
MME. FLACHE
She is awakening. There, there! [_Folds up the screen which hides the long steamer-chair_.]
MUSOTTE
Hasn't he come yet?
MME. FLACHE
No.
MUSOTTE
He will arrive too late--my G.o.d! My G.o.d!
MME. FLACHE
What an idea! He will come.
MUSOTTE
And my little darling--my child?
MME. FLACHE
He is sleeping like an angel.
MUSOTTE [_after looking at herself in a hand-mirror_]
I must not look like this when he comes. Oh, G.o.d! Bring my child--I want to see him.
MME. FLACHE
But if I show him to you he will wake up, and who knows if he will go to sleep again.
MUSOTTE
Bring the cradle here. [_A gesture of refusal from_ Mme Flache.] Yes, yes! I insist, [Mme. Flache _and the nurse gently bring the cradle to her_.] Nearer, nearer, so that I can see him well--the darling! My child, my child! And I am going to leave him! Soon I shall disappear into the unknown. Oh. G.o.d, what agony!
MME. FLACHE
Now don't go worrying yourself like that; you are not as ill as you think. I have seen lots worse than you. Come, come! you are going to recover. Take away the cradle, nurse. [_They put the cradle again in its place; then to the nurse_.] That will do, that will do. Watch me. You know very well that it is only I who can quiet it. [_Sits near the cradle, and sings a lullaby while rocking it_.]
"A little gray fowl Came into the barn, To lay a big egg For the good boy that sleeps.
Go to sleep, go to sleep, My little chicken!
Go to sleep, sleep, my chick!"
LA BABIN [_stands near the end of the mantelpiece, drinks the sugared water, and slips loaf sugar into her pocket; aside_]
I must not forget the main thing. I have just seen in the kitchen the remains of a leg of mutton, to which I should like to go and say a few words. I am breaking in two with hunger just now.
MME. FLACHE [_sings softly_]
"A little black fowl Came into the room, To lay a big egg For the good boy that sleeps.
Sleep, sleep, my little chicken, Sleep, oh, sleep, my chick!"
MUSOTTE [_from the long chair, after moaning several times_]
Has he gone to sleep again?
MME. FLACHE [_goes toward_ Musotte]
Yes, Mademoiselle, just as if he were a little Jesus. Do you wish to know what I think about him, this young man lying here? You will lead him to the altar for his marriage. He is a jewel, like yourself, my dear.
MUSOTTE
Do you really think him pretty?
MME. FLACHE
On the honor of a midwife, I have seldom brought into the world one so pretty. It is a pleasure to know that one has brought to the light such a little Cupid as he is.
