Scene II

The same, plus two CHILDREN, who have just trotted into the shop

RAGUENEAU:

What would you like, little ones?

FIRST CHILD:

Three pies.

RAGUENEAU:

[serving them] See, hot and well-browned.

SECOND CHILD:

If you don't mind, Sir, will you wrap them up for us?

RAGUENEAU:

[aside] Alas! One of my bags! to the CHILDREN] Must I really wrap them up for you? [He takes a bag, and just as he is about to put in the pies, he reads.] “Ulysses thus, on leaving fair Penelope …” No! Not that one! [He puts it aside, and takes another, and as he is about to put in the pies, he reads.] “The gold-locked Phoebus …” No! Not that one either!

LISE:

[impatiently] What are you dallying for?

RAGUENEAU:

Here! Here! [He chooses a third, resignedly.] The sonnet to Phillis! Oh, but it's also hard to part with!

LISE:

Thank goodness he's made up his mind at last! [shrugging her shoulders] Fool!

[She stands on a chair and begins to put plates on a shelf.]

RAGUENEAU:

[taking advantage of the moment she turns her back, calls back the CHILDREN, who are already at the door] Psst! Children! Give me back that sonnet and I'll give you six pies instead of three!

[The CHILDREN give him back the bag, grab the pies, and go out.]

RAGUENEAU:

[smoothing out the paper, begins to declaim] “Phillis! …” Oh, a smear of butter on that sweet name! “Phillis! …”

[Cyrano enters hurriedly.]