SCH.  Here we are!

RUD.  How now?

MAR.  How now?

(SCHAUNARD places the rolls on the table.)

MAR. (disdainfully) Some bread!

COL. (taking a herring out of the bag, and putting it on the table)
A dish that’s worthy of Demosthenes: 
’Tis a herring!

SCH.  ’Tis salted!

COL.  ’Our dinner is ready! (Seating themselves at the table, they pretend to be having a sumptuous meal.)

MAR.  This is a food that the gods might envy.

SCH. (placing Colline’s hat on the table, and thrusting a bottle of water into it) Now the champagne in the ice must go.

RUD. (to MARCEL, offering him some bread) Choose, my lord marquis—­salmon or turbot? (His offer is accepted, when, turning to SCHAUNARD, he proffers another crust of bread.) Now, duke, here’s a choice vol-au-vent with mushrooms. (He politely declines, and pours out a glass of water, which he hands to Marcel.)

SCH.  Thank you, I dare not, this evening I’m dancing! (The one and only tumbler is handed about. Colline, after voraciously devouring his roll, rises.)

RUD. (to Colline) What? sated?

COL. (with an air of great importance) To business!  The king awaits me.

MAR. (eagerly) What plot is brewing?

RUD.  What’s in the wind?

SCH. (rises and approaches Colline, observing with droll inquisitiveness) What’s in the wind?

MAR.  What’s in the wind?

(COLLINE struts up and down, full of self-importance.)

COL.  The king requires my services.

(The others surround COLLINE, bowing low to him.)

SCH.  Bravo!

MAR.  Bravo!

RUD.  Bravo!

COL. (with a patronizing air) And then I’ve got to see Guizot!

SCH.  Give me a goblet.

MAR. (giving him the only glass) Aye, quaff now a bumper!

SCH. (solemnly gets on to a chair and raises his glass) Have I permission, oh! my most noble courtier?

RUD. and COL. (interrupting) Stop that.

COL.  No more fooling.

MAR.  Stop that.  No more nonsense.

COL.  Give me that tumbler. (taking the glass from SCHAUNARD)

SCH. (motioning his friends to let him speak) With ardor irresistible Poetry fills my spirit.

COL. and MAR. (yelling) No.

SCH. (complacently) Then something choreographic may suit you!

RUD., MAR. and COL.  Yes, yes! (Amid applause they surround Schaunard and make him get off the chair.)

SCH.  Some dancing, accompanied by singing?

COL.  Well, clear the stage for action. (Moving chairs and tables aside, they prepare for a dance; they suggest various dances.)