Percinet.  Pity!

Bergamin.  No pity!  I insist on it!  Glass—­all along the top of the wall! [Sylvette and Percinet are in despair.  Bergamin sits down on the bench.] And now, I have something to say to you. [He rises and examines the wall.] If the wall hasn’t eyes, it may possibly have ears? [He is about to stand on the bench, when Percinet takes fright and Sylvette clings close to her side of the wall, making herself as small as she can.  Bergamin decides not to scale the wall, but motions to his son to do so.] See whether some curious listener—?

Percinet. [Climbing to the top and leaning over so that Sylvette can hear him] Till to-night!

Sylvette. [Giving him her hand, which he kisses] I’ll come as the clock is striking!  I adore you!

Bergamin. [To Percinet] Well?

Percinet. [Jumping down—­to his father] No one!

Bergamin. [Re-seating himself] Well, then, my boy, I should like to see you married.

Sylvette. [Aside] Oh!

Bergamin.  What’s that?

Percinet.  Nothing.

Bergamin.  I thought I heard a cry?

Percinet. [Looking into the air] Some wounded bird, perhaps.

Bergamin.  I have given the matter my undivided attention, and have chosen a wife for you. [Percinet whistles and walks away.] I tell you, I am in earnest and I intend to force you, if necessary. [Percinet continues whistling.] Will you stop that confounded whistling!  The young woman is rich—­she’s a jewel!

Percinet.  I want none of your jewels!

Bergamin.  I’ll show you, you young insolent!

Percinet. [Grasping his father’s cane, which is raised as if to strike him] Spring has filled the bushes with the songs of birds; the brooklets accompany the love-notes of wild birds.

Bergamin.  Rascal!

Percinet. [Still holding the cane] The whole world laughs and sings farewell to April.  The butterflies—­

Bergamin.  Ruffian!

Percinet. [As before] Wing their way across the meadows, to make love to the adored flowers!  Love—­

Bergamin.  Villain!

Percinet.  Love opens wide the heart of all nature.  And you ask me to consent to a marriage of reason!

Bergamin.  Of course I do!

Percinet. [Passionately] No, no, no, Father.  I swear by this wall—­which hears me, I hope—­that my marriage will be more romantic than any dreamed of in the most poetic of the world’s love stories! [He runs out.]

Bergamin. [Pursuing him] Ah, let me catch you—!

Sylvette.  I can really understand now why Papa hates that odious old man!