human
Who's got the pink satin?
gpt
That will be a handsome dress--satin and velvet. Is it for a duchess?
human
Oh, no! it's for an actress at the Opéra-Comique; they dress ever so much better than the great ladies.
gpt
Speaking of the Opéra-Comique, they say that there's boxes there with salons; is that so, Mamzelle Laura?
human
Well, rather, nephew.
gpt
Come, come, mesdemoiselles, we must work and not idle so; here's a wedding dress that must be done to-morrow; Madame Dumanchon has promised it.
human
It seems to me, we work well enough, mademoiselle; we don't take our eyes off our work. What more do you expect us to do? We haven't got twenty fingers!
gpt
That's all right, Mademoiselle Augustine; do you think I don't see you laughing and looking at Euphémie, who can't do anything but laugh? Humph! how stupid it is to laugh all the time, at the least thing--and often without knowing why!
human
I never laugh without knowing what I'm laughing at, mademoiselle! You're mistaken; I know very well what I'm laughing at.
gpt
Well, tell us what it was that amused you so just now.
human
Just now? why, I looked up and saw Jujules gaping and trying to sneeze at the same time; and she made up such an absurd face! Ha! ha! ha! she looked exactly like the milkwoman's donkey at the corner of the street.
gpt
I, look like a donkey!
human
Hush, Potage, you haven't got the floor! I belch it from you, as an ancient orator said.
gpt
Oh! Mademoiselle Laura, for heaven's sake, be a little more decent in your language; you often say things that ought not be said in a workroom of young ladies; Madame Dumanchon don't like it, and she holds me responsible.
human
What's that? what are you singing to us? You accuse me of being indecent just because I say: 'I belch it from you'! That's a little rough, on my word! if you read the least bit of history, you'd know that anecdote, which isn't the least bit immoral, Mademoiselle Frotard; and for all you're so squeamish to-day, I've heard you sometimes fire words at us--I don't know where you picked 'em up, but they were a little tough.
gpt
I, fire words at you!--Oh! if I went to the Bal Saint-Georges, like you, I might learn some very pretty things; but I defy anyone to say they ever saw me in such places.
human
It's just as well you don't go; what would you do there? you probably wouldn't be invited to dance! and that would make you sick. By the way, let me tell you that the Bal Saint-Georges is a very nice place; the company there's a very good sort, and I pride myself on being one of the most regular attendants at these Ball-Clubs, as the wrinkled old _gentlemen_ call 'em, who go there to dance the _anglaise_ and other national jigs.
gpt
Where's the piece of velvet I just put down here? Have any of you taken it, mesdemoiselles?
human
You've got it in your dress.
gpt
So I have; great heaven! what was I thinking about?
human
Ha! ha! she sticks things in her bosom and then goes looking for 'em! She'll end by looking for her nose.
gpt
And she won't find it; she's flat-nosed.
human
Ha! ha! ha!
gpt
Good! there goes Euphémie again!
human
Bless my soul! how can I help laughing, when you say such silly things?
gpt
Look at Elina--she don't laugh, and she don't keep her tongue clacking; so she gets ahead with her skirt.
human
Oh! Elina's preoccupied; she's been very pensive for some time; that's why she don't talk.
gpt
I didn't suppose I was forbidden to think,
human
Of course not; thoughts are free, and they use their freedom! they're very lucky, our thoughts are; they can travel, they can run about the fields and go into whatever company they choose; while we have to sit here, planted on our chairs, and sew all day long! God! what fun! When shall I have a million a year, so that I can coddle myself and sleep and eat méringues all day? Oh! méringues--they're a high-toned delicacy, I tell you!
gpt
What are they made of?
human
Preserved snails. The next time you go into a confectioner's, ask him for a snail méringue, and see how good it is!
gpt
Come, come, mesdemoiselles, we mustn't talk so much. Madame will soon be back, and this ball dress don't get on at all; and, you know, we still have two wedding dresses to finish this week.
human
Two wedding dresses! Everybody seems to be getting married! I don't know why nobody marries me;--and you, Julienne, wouldn't you like to get married?
gpt
Me? oh, no, mademoiselle! on the contrary, I'd hate it.
human
You would? Why, pray?
gpt
Because my cousin told me that when you're married you can't sleep alone any more; and I like to kick my legs about in bed, and I know it would bother me to have someone with me.
human
Oh! what a simpleton you are, big Julienne! you sleep with your husband, and that don't prevent your kicking your legs about--not by any means!
gpt
How do you know that, Mamzelle Laura? Are you married?
human
Do let me finish; you disturb me when I am trying to make Turkish points. Oh! what a sigh Elina just gave! Haven't you finished moving, young dreamer?
gpt
Yes, mademoiselle; it was all done this morning.
human
Ah! that's why you came later than usual?
gpt
I spoke to Mademoiselle Frotard about it.
human
Who moved you? Was it Sans-Cravate, the Lovelace of the cooks of the neighborhood?
gpt
No, mademoiselle.
human
Then it must have been his mate--Jean Ficelle. He's a very clever youth. I sent him once to carry a letter to someone, on important business, and I saw that he was full of intelligence.--Pass me the Scotch thread, Sophie.
gpt
Oh! mesdemoiselles, you know very well that Elina has a messenger she always patronizes--one Paul, who puts on airs when we pass, which I consider altogether too cheeky; I propose to tell that young man of the people what I think of him some fine day!
human
Isn't a messenger as good as other men? muttered little Elina, angrily.
gpt
Why hasn't he the right to look at us?
human
As good as other men! a messenger! cried a young woman with an affected manner, a mocking smile, and a shrill voice;
gpt
What nonsense! said stout Julienne;
human
You see, I haven't any low tastes. I wouldn't go out with a man who didn't have gloves and trouser-straps!
gpt
Oho! she reminds me of that tall Hélène who used to work here, and had the brass to say to us: 'I don't go with any men but those that have red morocco boot tops; I don't have anything to say to a man who has black leather ones, because they don't go with patent-leather boots.'
human
I didn't know that honest men were canaille, retorted Elina, flushing with anger;
gpt
I thought no one was ever called by that name but villains and rascals.
human
Hallo! here's Elina showing fight! cried Laura;
gpt
Ha! ha! ha! five needles [_aiguilles_]! I thought she said five eels [_anguilles_]!
human
Oh! my dear, eels don't break; you can do whatever you please with eels--even to making a _matelote_.
gpt
I know a song about 'em, said Julienne,