Le Voyage de Monsieur PerrichonParte 9 de 12

[1: Use future.] [2: le plus court (put after the noun).] [3: toujours.] [4: fermer.] [5: le (lit., «it»).] [6: Sucçès, m.] [7: Tr. «everybody's road.»]

XV

ACT II, SCENE VIII

1. While Armand is waiting for the ladies, the voice of the major is heard off the stage. 2. He enters, sits down, and catching sight of the visitors' book, reads what Mr. Perrichon has written in it. 3. After which he makes acquaintance with Armand and tells him his story. 4. He has imprudently issued a promissory note, and a warrant is out for his arrest. 5. But he very much wants to be put in prison, and, having the law on his side, earnestly begs Armand to set the law in motion on his return to Paris. 6. The major is in love, which is ridiculous at his time of life. 7. He wants to be locked up; he has not yet tried this form of cure. 8. Armand promises to do him this service, since he insists upon it.

[1: voix, f.] [2: Tr. «makes itself.»] [3: quoi.]

XVI

ACT II, SCENE IX

1. A gentleman always asks leave to place himself at a lady's orders. 2. Do stand erect, boy! That's right! 3. When you hear that we have gone to Switzerland, start too[l], and follow us step by step. 4. What a charming man is your cousin! 5. The greatest respect is due to young ladies. 6. Hello! You here! We were talking about you, weren't we? 7. We may not ascribe to other people intentions of which they are guiltless. 8. «I understand you very well, although I am deaf.» 9. «That's why you do not always answer when spoken to, isn't it?» 10. We shall meet again somewhere, shan't we?

[1: aussi.] [2: Omit and insert que.] [3: devoir.] [4: quoique followed by the subjunctive.]

XVII

ACT II, SCENE X

1. The sight of these bottomless pits makes you shudder. 2. How many is there room for in a French railroad carriage? 3. If it pours, I shall put on my waterproof. 4. What would life be without its tender emotions? 5. Miss Perrichon had several offers of marriage. 6. I cannot ride on the coach-box when it rains hard. 7. There was a landslide here this morning. 8. You have got the inside track, haven't you? 9. An offer of marriage often excites the mother as much as the daughter.10. But for you I should never have had the pleasure of saving myfellow-man. 11. Will you take a seat in my carriage? 12. When the sun is bright it is better to be on the box than inside.

[1: que.] [2: beau, tr. «By a bright sun.»]

XVIII

ACT III, SCENES I AND II

1. When the master and mistress come home, the cook gets dinner ready. 2. The man puts up the curtains, sweeps the rooms, dusts thefurniture, the tables, armchairs, and sofas. 3. «There's the bell! It isthey!» «Nonsense, it is not yet twelve.» «Yes, it is they. I know master's ring.» 4. What a lot of bandboxes and valises they have! 5. When we get home again after a trip, we find on the table all the letters, visiting-cards, and newspapers that have come for us while we were away. 6. People do not return stouter when they have not had a pleasant trip. 7. «May I relieve you of your parcels?»—«Why, certainly!» 8. We owe him a call: he came every day to inquire when we should be back, and is to call again to-day.

[1: domestique; m.] [2: Si.]

XIX

ACT III, SCENE III

1. We may well feel proud when we have risked our lives to save that of our fellow-man. 2. I bear you no malice, only you change your mind too often. 3. The mark of true courage is modesty and silence, 4. A gentleman never takes advantage of the services he may have done a friend. 5. «Do make up your mind!»—«Must I give Henrietta's young man an answer?» 6. «Why, unless you have anything against him, there is no reason why you should not do so.» 7. «All right then, I will speak to him. But do not always harp on the same thing; it gets to be tiresome.» 8. «We cannot give our daughter to that brute.»—«I should think not indeed!» 9. I like this young fellow; I do not like that one.

[1: seulement.] [2: pouvoir.]

XX

ACT III, SCENES IV AND V

1. In America, when young ladies are old enough to marry they are absolutely free to choose. 2. A repeating-watch strikes when you press a little spring. 3. Boiled beef and stewed veal are French dishes. 4. I wish to state the fact that I have paid the duty on the watches I brought from Geneva. 5. Without wishing to thwart you, my dear, allow me to say that I must investigate; then we shall know and shall be able to select for her. 6. Majorin has just come in; he has heard that his friends have returned, and has asked for a day off. 7. Travelers sometimes have awful scenes with customs officers. 8. Those who do not pay the custom-house duties are often caught and the goods are seized. 9. It is two o'clock by my watch.

[1: pousser.] [2: ressort, m.] [3: plat, m.] [4: objet, m.] [5: heures.] [6: à.]

XXI

ACT III, SCENE VII

1. A slip often has deplorable consequences. 2. We have bought two copies of the same paper. 3. What is the meaning of this official paper? 4. A high officer of the custom-house is one of my witnesses. 5. I shall be grateful to you for withdrawing that charge. 6. I believe you are intimate with the janitor. 7. You have saved my life at the imminent risk of your own. 8. The heroes of this scene escaped from the congratulations of the crowd which had run out to meet them. 9. «He was condemned to imprisonment for a week for losing his temper.»—«Of course! and serves him right!» 10. Revolutionists often find themselves in the prisoners' dock. 11. Most prominent business men are fathers of families.

[1: même.] [2: héros, m.] [3: condamner.] [4: La plupart, followed by genitive of definite article.]

XXII

ACT III, SCENE VIII

1. I hate to make that unpleasant announcement, but it has got to be done. 2. Have you touched up the article you wrote for my paper? 3. It takes many sittings for a good picture. 4. Heroic scenes in history have been recorded on canvas by illustrious painters. 5. Newfoundland dogs often save travelers' lives. 6. «You have saved me from jail, I owe you my honor; so how could I have a grudge against you?»—«That's right! you are yourself again.» 7. Mr. Perrichon will not mind sitting for his picture. 8. We will put a little advertisement in the catalogue. 9. There are many magnificent canvases in this year's exhibition. 10. «I am going away.»—«Why so?»—«To stay would be painful to me.»—«There now! When I am so fond of you!»—«We are never to meet again.»—«No! You shall stay!»—«Well, I will.»

[1: Supply «which.»] [2: Il faut.] [3: Supply «stay.»]

XXIII

ACT III, SCENE IX

1. When we took a trip abroad two years ago we met a very dear fellow-countrywoman of ours, a perfect lady. 2. To succeed you must be persistent. 3. Do not leave your things lying about on the furniture. 4. «What can that be?»—«A mistake in spelling.»—«Not at all!» 5. You have shown your mettle: you cannot back down. 6. Did that carriage splash mud on your gown? 7. Two weeks ago I had an appointment with you to go to the upholsterer's. 8. The major comes very politely to ask a question of Mr. Perrichon, who does not allow himself to be intimidated. 9. People come to the point when they wish to cut matters short. 10. «I merely ask whether you take back the offensive entry you made in the visitors' book.»—«I do.»—«That's a good thing!»

[1: affaire, f.] [2: Use infinitive active.] [3: Supply «take back.»]

XXIV

ACT III, SCENES X AND XI

1. Lawyers are generally more polite than majors. 2. When Mr. Perrichon has found the solution he is looking for, he shows lots of pluck. 3. The major is a tough customer. 4. When strikes the hour for the duel, the combatants will not flinch. 5. It is my business to pick holes in your spelling. 6. If a patrol turns up in the nick of time, the duel will be prevented. 7. When two men are going to fight a duel, they put their papers in order. 8. John, why did you let that man in?"—«What was I to do? I took him for a traveling acquaintance of yours.» 9. A business man with a commission in the militia is not a real soldier. I0. «Here is a visiting card.»—«Gee!» —«What is the matter?»—«We're in a pretty mess! the question is how to get out of it.»

[1: d'ordinaire.] [2: duel, m.] [3: combattant, m.] [4: empêcher.] [5: en.] [6: See Act III, Sc. VI.]

XXV

ACT III, SCENES XII AND XIII

1. Mr. Perrichon is to fight a duel with a retired major in thesecond regiment of Zouaves. 2. He is a civilian, a business man, a family man, and his wife won't have him go on the field. 3. So she thinks it her duty to notify the police. 4. It behooves her conjugal affection to prevent a couple of madmen from crossing swords. 5. Although her husband says he is as cool as can be, she sends an urgent note to the chief of police. 6. Breakfast is ready: let's sit down! 7. When a man is afraid, he has a very long face. 8. He did not want to tell you that he had an errand to do; he let it out accidentally. 9. Have you received any concert tickets from your music teacher? It is his benefit, and if you are not engaged all day, you had better go.

[1: devoir.] [2: See Ex. XXIV, note 5.] [3: Tr. «does not wish that» followed by subjunctive.] [4: affection conjugale.] [5: See Ex. XXIV, note 4.] [6: Quoique and subjunctive.] [7: Tr.«as bronze.»] [8: Tr.«you will do well to.» Supply «there» with «go.»]

XXVI

ACT IV, SCENES I AND II

1. We are going to fight with the swords I have here under my cloak. 2. I will not be one of your seconds; I should get into trouble with the law. 3. When a sword breaks, the combatant is in a fix, and the whole thing is spoilt. 4. «You sent me a note last night, here I am. What is it?» 5. «I am going on the field with a major.»—«You! nonsense!»—«What do you mean by nonsense!» 6. When is this duel to come off?»—«We meet to-day at two o'clock and you must be my second.»—«Excuse me, I cannot. It is as much as my place is worth.» 7. Those whom we have obliged may be asked to help us in the crises of our lives. 8. When you have paid him back all you owe him, you and he will be quits.

[1: See Act III, Sc. III.] [2: Turn into the active.] [3: Insert another «you.»]

XXVII

ACT IV, SCENES III AND IV

1. Although her father is going to fight a duel and to risk his life, Henrietta sings, waters her flowers, makes a nosegay of dahlias, and finally turns him out of the house. 2. The reason is that she has notified not only the chief of police, but also her best friend, Mr. Armand, who will prevent the duel from coming off. 3. So she tells her father to make haste and to try to be back by dinner-time. 4. It is agreeable to be rid of a hustling rival. 5. When a man has nicely laid his little plans, he hates to see them interfered with. 6. It is a quarter to one; the pay-window must be open and you can get your dividend. 7. This is a good opportunity; give your decision.

[1: See Ex. XXV, note 6.] [2: enfin.] [3: C'est que.] [4: non seulement.] [5: mais encore.] [6: See Ex. XXIV, note 4.] [7: déranger, leave in infinitive active.] [8: devoir.]

XXVIII

ACT IV, SCENE V

1. Why do you not motion him to leave the room? 2. I have discharged my man; he is packing up. 3. The words you wrote are spread out in full, right in the middle of a page in the visitors' book. 4. You are too plucky to climb down. 5. They have had nothing to do with this incident. 6. I have always looked my adversaries in the eye. 7. When you have offended anybody, it is magnanimous to acknowledge yourself in the wrong. 8. I am very sorry to have left those ill-natured lines where they may be read by everybody. 9. Go and erase them of your own accord, instead of making matters worse. 10. Exit major, saying that he bids them good day. 11. May I make bold to ask you to bear me in mind if ever you want a man-servant?

[1: laisser.] [2: Tr.«to.»] [3: Tr. «Shall I dare.»]

XXIX

ACT IV, SCENES VI AND VII

1. If you write a few words to the chief of police, the matter will be dropped. 2. There is nothing to be delighted about when one has had to apologize. 3. A reward of two hundred francs is not enough for saving a man's life. 4. Henrietta is as kindly disposed towards you as her mother. 5. A gentleman does not thrust himself into other people's lives. 6. «It cannot be denied; I irritate him.»—«Well, I declare!» 7. Well-bred young ladies in France share their parents' feelings. 8. I will not go so far as to say that I am positive of his utter dislike; I have not yet had a talk with him. 9. I cannot stay here any longer; what is the use? I had better bid you good-by. 10. I was much hurt when he reproached me with intruding.

[1: affaire, f.] [2: enchanté.] [3: devoir.] [4: galant homme.] [5: les autres.] [6: plus.] [7: vivement.] [8: de.]

XXX

ACT IV, SCENE VIII

1. Make sure you have got hold of your victim before you give him a chance to cool off. 2. Give me time to collect my thoughts and I will let you know my answer. 3. People wear soft shoes when they go into a powder-magazine. 4. There was a grand final display to those fireworks. 5. Mark my words: Gratitude is a crushing burden for fools, and even for many clever folk. 6. I am not developing a paradox; I am only giving you a piece of sound advice. 7. You would be making a mistake to take any other course. 8. I have made blunder after blunder; but do not give me away. 9. I took a tumble, not on purpose at all, which humbled my pride. 10. His first exploit was a masterpiece.

[1: Tr.«the time.»] [2: même.] [3: ce qui.]

XXXI

ACT IV, SCENES IX AND X

1. Listening is the best way to hear. 2. «You will not shake hands with me now, will you?»—«Well, I declare! Why not?» 3. Bring me my money later; there is no hurry about it. 4. I am going back to Switzerland accompanied by Henrietta and her mother. 5. Eaves-dropping is a bad habit. 6. We love the places where we have been happy. 7. Shall you be at home to-night? I may come and drink a cup of tea with you, may I not? 8. Henrietta cannot guess why her father wishes to revisit the Mer de Glace when they have just come back from the place. 9. Those who speak lower are better liked. 10. Mr. Perrichon means to say commandé; but he is thinking of the major and makes a mistake in the ending.

[1: Use the infinitive.] [2: moyen, m.] [3: penser à.] [4: se tromper de (omitting article).] [5: finale, f.]

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION

NOTE.—The answers, whether spoken or written, should contain as many as possible of the words and idioms of the question. A simple «yes» or «no» should never be accepted, and the subject should always be repeated in full, not referred to by a pronoun.

I

ACT I, SCENE I

1. Où se passe le premier acte du Voyage de M. Perrichon? 2. Que voit-on dans une gare française? 3. Où prend-on ses billets? 4. Qui voit-on sur la scène au lever du rideau? 5. Quelle est la profession de Majorin? 6. Que vient-il faire à la gare? 7. Pourquoi parle-t-il de M. Perrichon avec amertume? 8. Pourquoi vient-il voir M. Perrichon? 9. A qui s'adresse-t-il pour savoir l'heure de départ du train? 10. Comment l'employé lui répond-il?

[1: Literally, «at the raising of the curtain.»]

II

ACT I, SCENE II

1. De qui M. Perrichon est-il accompagné? 2. Pourquoi veut-il que sa famille ne le quitte pas? 3. Pourquoi est-il inquiet? 4. Que croit-il avoir laissé dans le fiacre? 5. Où retrouve-t-il son chapeau? 6. Pourquoi Mme Perrichon est-elle de mauvaise humeur? 7. Pourquoi n'ont-ils pas fait ce voyage il y a deux ans? 8. Qu' est-ce que M. Perrichon donne à sa fille? 9. Pourquoi M. Perrichon donne-t-il un carnet a sa fille? 10. Combien de colis M. Perrichon a-t-il?

[1: Cross.] [2: Pieces of baggage.]