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.
MUSOTTE
And to think that in a few hours, perhaps, I shall see him no more; look at him no more; love him no more!
MME. FLACHE
Oh, no, no! You are talking unreasonably.
MUSOTTE
Ah, I know it too well! I heard you talking with the nurse. I know that the end is very near; this night, perhaps. Would the doctor have written to Jean to come and see me on this evening--the evening of his marriage--if I were not at the point of death? [_The bell rings_. Musotte _utters a cry_.] Ah, there he is! it is he! Quick! quick! Oh, God, how I suffer! [_Exit_ Mme. Flache C. Musotte _gazes after her. Enter_ Dr. Pellerin, _in evening clothes_.]
SCENE II.
MUSOTTE [_despairingly_]
Ah! it is not he!
PELLERIN [_approaches_ Musotte]
Has he not come yet?
MUSOTTE
He will not come.
DR. PELLERIN
He will! I am certain of it; I know it.
MUSOTTE
No!
DR. PELLERIN
I swear it! [_Turns toward_ Mme. Flache.] Hasn't he answered the note yet?
MME. FLACHE
No, Doctor.
DR. PELLERIN
Well, he will come. How is my patient?
MME. FLACHE
She has rested a little.
MUSOTTE [_in an agitated voice_]
All is over! I feel that I shall not rest any more until he comes, or until I depart without having seen him.
DR. PELLERIN
He will come if you will go to sleep immediately and sleep until to-morrow morning.
MUSOTTE
You would not have written to him to come this evening if I had been able to wait until to-morrow morning. [_The bell rings_.] If that is not he, I am lost--lost! [Mme. Flache _runs to open the door_. Musotte _listens intently, and hears from below a man's voice; then murmurs despairingly_.] It is not he!
MME. FLACHE [_re-enters with a vial in her hand_]
It is the medicine from the chemist.
MUSOTTE [_agitated_]
Oh, God! how horrible! He is not coming; what have I done? Doctor, show me my child. I will see him once more.
DR. PELLERIN
But he sleeps, my little Musotte.
MUSOTTE
Well, he has plenty of time in the future for sleep.
DR. PELLERIN
Come, come, calm yourself.
MUSOTTE
If Jean does not come, who will take care of my child?--for it is Jean's child, I swear to you. Do you believe me? Oh, how I loved him!
DR. PELLERIN
Yes, my dear little child, we believe you. But please be calm.
MUSOTTE [_with increasing agitation_]
Tell me, when you went away just now where did you go?
DR. PELLERIN
To see a patient.
MUSOTTE
That is not true. You went to see Jean, and he would not come with you, or he would be here now.
DR. PELLERIN
On my word of honor, no.
MUSOTTE
Yes, I feel it. You have seen him, and you do not dare to tell me for fear it would kill me.
DR. PELLERIN
Ah, the fever is coming back again. This must not go on. I don't wish you to be delirious when he comes. [_Turns to_ Mme. Flache.] We must give her a hypodermic injection. Give me the morphia. [Mme. Flache _brings the needle and morphia, from the mantelpiece and gives it to_ Dr. Pellerin.]
MUSOTTE [_uncovers her own arm_]
But
