SCENE 1. _Majorin, A Railway Official, Travelers, Porters

_Majorin._ (_Walking about impatiently._) Still this Perrichon doesn't come! Already I've waited an hour.... Certainly it is today that he is to set out for Switzerland with his wife and daughter. (_Bitterly._) Carriage builders who go to Switzerland! Carriage builders who have forty thousand pounds a year income! Carriage builders who keep their carriages! What times these are! While I,--I am earning two thousand four hundred francs ... a clerk, hard-working, intelligent, always bent over his desk.... Today I asked for leave ... I said it was my day for guard duty.... It is absolutely necessary that I see Perrichon before his departure.... I want to ask him to advance me my quarter's salary.... Six hundred francs! He is going to put on his patronizing air ... make himself important ... a carriage builder! It's a shame! Still he doesn't come! One would say that he did it on purpose! (_Addressing a porter who passes, followed by travelers._) Monsieur, at what time does the train start for Lyons?

_Porter._ (_Brusquely._) Ask the official. (_He goes out at the left._)

_Majorin._ Thanks ... clodhopper! (_Addressing the official who is near the ticket window._) Monsieur, at what time does the through train start for Lyons?

_The Official._ (_Brusquely._) That doesn't concern me! Look at the poster. (_He points to a poster in the left wings._)

_Majorin._ Thanks.... (_Aside._) The politeness of these corporations! If ever you come to my office, you...! Let's have a look at the poster.... (_He goes out at the left._)