Mrs Dubedat [throwing off the drapery as she steps down, and revealing a plain frock of tussore silk] But you have promised, remember, seriously and faithfully, never to borrow again until you have first asked me.

Louis.  Seriously and faithfully. [Embracing her] Ah, my love, how right you are! how much it means to me to have you by me to guard me against living too much in the skies.  On my solemn oath, from this moment forth I will never borrow another penny.

Mrs Dubedat [delighted] Ah, thats right.  Does his wicked worrying wife torment him and drag him down from the clouds. [She kisses him].  And now, dear, wont you finish those drawings for Maclean?

Louis.  Oh, they dont matter.  Ive got nearly all the money from him in advance.

Mrs Dubedat.  But, dearest, that is just the reason why you should finish them.  He asked me the other day whether you really intended to finish them.

Louis.  Confound his impudence!  What the devil does he take me for?  Now that just destroys all my interest in the beastly job.  Ive a good mind to throw up the commission, and pay him back his money.

Mrs Dubedat.  We cant afford that, dear.  You had better finish the drawings and have done with them.  I think it is a mistake to accept money in advance.

Louis.  But how are we to live?

Mrs Dubedat.  Well, Louis, it is getting hard enough as it is, now that they are all refusing to pay except on delivery.

Louis.  Damn those fellows! they think of nothing and care for nothing but their wretched money.

Mrs Dubedat.  Still, if they pay us, they ought to have what they pay for.

Louis [coaxing;] There now:  thats enough lecturing for to-day.  Ive promised to be good, havnt I?

Mrs DUDEBAT [putting her arms round his neck] You know that I hate lecturing, and that I dont for a moment misunderstand you, dear, dont you?

Louis [fondly] I know.  I know.  I’m a wretch; and youre an angel.  Oh, if only I were strong enough to work steadily, I’d make my darling’s house a temple, and her shrine a chapel more beautiful than was ever imagined.  I cant pass the shops without wrestling with the temptation to go in and order all the really good things they have for you.

Mrs Dubedat.  I want nothing but you, dear. [She gives him a caress, to which he responds so passionately that she disengages herself].  There! be good now:  remember that the doctors are coming this morning.  Isnt it extraordinarily kind of them, Louis, to insist on coming? all of them, to consult about you?

Louis [coolly] Oh, I daresay they think it will be a feather in their cap to cure a rising artist.  They wouldnt come if it didnt amuse them, anyhow. [Someone knocks at the door].  I say:  its not time yet, is it?