Act 2 — SCENE II.
Charles Renauld translation
The same, TWO CHILDREN come in to buy cakes.
RAGUENEAU.
What is it, little ones?
FIRST CHILD.
We want three patties, please.
RAGUENEAU (serving them).
Here they are, well-browned, just out of the oven.
SECOND CHILD.
Please wrap them up for us.
RAGUENEAU (aside).
Alas! my bags!
(to the children). Oh! wrap them up, hey?....
(takes one of the bags to use it, but first reads from it).
"As was Ulysses when he left Penelope...." Not this one!....
(puts the bag aside, and takes up another, from which also he reads).
"Blond Phœbus...." Not this one!
(Sets the bag aside.)
LISE (out of patience).
Well, what are you waiting for?
RAGUENEAU.
Coming! Coming!
(takes up a third bag and then with resignation).
The sonnet to Philis!.... pretty hard too!
LISE.
You were long enough about it!
(shrugging her shoulders).
Goose!
(She climbs upon a chair to arrange dishes and plates on a shelf.)
RAGUENEAU (taking advantage of the fact that her back is turned, calls back the children who were just passing out).
Pst!.... Little ones!.... Return me the bag and instead of three patties I'll give you six.
(The children give him the bag, take the cakes and leave. Ragueneau smoothes the paper and reads).
"Philis!" .... On this sweet name, a grease spot!.... "Philis!"
(Cyrano enters abruptly.)