MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
There’s still hope. The Hirondelle hasn’t got here yet.
HOMAIS
And what have you done good all this day?
LÉON
No big thing good, as usual I am bored with scratching stamped paper, then I get bored strolling the length of the river listening to the snoring of the tutor.
MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
I’m going to set your place with the company that Mr. Homais is expecting.
LÉON
Gladly, but I won’t be indiscreet.
HIPPOLYTE (entering)
Here’s a pot of cider for the travelers.
MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
Again!
HIPPOLYTE
They’re installed under the shed in the old carriage lit by a candle, and went to play cards. (he leaves with his jug. Lheureux pushes through the door)
LHEUREUX
Very good day, ladies and gentlemen. They say that Hivert is late. No accident, I hope? I’m expecting a dispatch from Grand Sauvage.
MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
What brings you to chatter of an accident? The Hirondelle will get here in a minute or two.
LHEUREUX
I’m going to watch for it on the road. Excuse me, Madame. My respects, gentlemen.
(bowing as he leaves)
MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
Too polite to be honest!
HOMAIS
I am merely left to say that this cloth merchant will come to obtain the adjudication of cider for the hospital at Neufchatel.
MADAME LEFRANÇOIS
God, it’s quite possible. He traffics in everything at the moment. An old peddler who had some stories not too clear. That doesn’t prevent poor Cary putting his paws on this bird, and that one of these days he’ll put a yellow placard on his door.
HIPPOLYTE
(returning) Now they need a half pint to whet them. (uproar of iron and bells and glasses shaking through the misty windows. One becomes aware of the arrival of the carriage. Lights run. Hipployte and Madame Lefrançois run outside with lanterns.)
VOICES
Attention. Watch out below. Watch out fatty! Keep back, little mother. Hohoo! Polignac! No accident. Polyte! Here! Pass the luggage without being told. Did you have a good trip? What did you get? Caught. Here: foot on the wheel. Do you have the dressmaker’s box for Madame Caron? It’s nothing, Madame Lefrançois. The dog of a little lady ran off. Polyte! Toss me the roll of shoes. The hampers. Here’s another one. You are not badly loaded today. It’s for days when we are not. Heavens, it’s you, bad character! Here you are again in our country. As you see. Pay attention, will you, don’t step on my corns. Pardon, excuse me. Do you have the box for Madame Caron? Patience, my beauty, you are young, you have time to wait. You are not the one who will cause us to quarrel. No—not those. Two packages sent express from Grand Sauvage to the address of Mr. Lheureux.
(Enter Charles and Félicité loaded down with packages.)
CHARLES
Put this down anywhere, and go back quickly to my wife.
HOMAIS
Doctor Bovary, no question?
CHARLES
Yes, Charles Bovary.
HOMAIS
I am Homais and your servant. Be welcome in Yonville. Did you have a good trip?
CHARLES
Yes, yes.—That is—my wife lost a little greyhound on the way that she really loved.
(he takes off his hat which he was wearing pushed down over his eyebrows. His round face, colored with feminine features and fat lips is further enlarged by short whiskers, and faded blonde hair cut straight over the face. He’s all huddled in a large pilgrim cloak, large boots and gloves.)
VOICES
The box for Madame Caron. Yes, these two strong cadres, thanks! Polyte! Step on the ladder. Attention! Come drink a cup, one doesn’t leave like that. The gray box up front; you’ve got to see it. Hivert! Something for me? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Watch out under the ladder! Just this little package, Mr. Mayor. Thanks. There’s no more.
(At the same time, the conversation continues between Homais and Charles.)
CHARLES
She calls it Djali. He’s a huntsman of the Marquis d’Andervilliers, who gave it to me when I eased him of a fluxion of the breast.
HOMAIS
It’s truly regrettable that your arrival among us finds itself saddened by such a vexing incident.
CHARLES
It ran after the coach and suddenly could no longer be seen. The conductor stopped. He even turned back more than half a league with a great deal of complacency. But it’s truly lost.
HOMAIS
And you say that Madame Bovary was moved to tears?
CHARLES
She’s really going to miss Djali. When I wasn’t home, my wife spent many hours talking to it as a confidante. That’s what she just told me. I never suspected it.
VOICES
The box for Madame Caron. Here it is, my beauty, the box for Madame Caron. And at your service if you need anything. Polyte. There’s nothing more under the tarpaulin.
(Enter Emma and Félicité. Lheureux follows them.)
CHARLES
Emma, come by the fire. Warm up. Allow me to present you to Mr. Homais—that I have not yet thanked for his letters.
HOMAIS
Very honored, Madame, and very happy that I’ve been able to render some services to the doctor.
(Emma responds with a sad smile and goes to the fireplace. She pulls her skirt up to her knees and puts her feet to the flame. She is tall, thin and supple. Her hair is pulled in two bands to each side. Her face is pale, but she has rosy cheeks, lips a bit plump, but large, superb eyes. Her hands are long, dry, with pointed nails.)
VOICES
Polyte. Here I am. Some coffee. And you know we are not teetotalers who take tea in tiny cups. Bring two pots and let them be heavy. Minute.
(Noise of horses being unhitched.)
LHEUREUX
There’s no need for Madame to give up hope of finding her dog. My own father possessed a poodle, which, after twelve years absence suddenly leapt on his back in the street one evening when he went to dine in town.
CHARLES
You see!
HOMAIS
Mr. Lheureux is right. The Journal de Rouen, of which I have the honor to be correspondent for the area of Bucher, Neufchatel, and Yonville, recently cited a dog returned straight from Constantinople to Paris.
LHEUREUX
And to envisage everything, if Madame’s greyhound remains lost, I am at Madame’s disposition to promise her another of the same breed.
EMMA
What’s the use. One deception, more or less.
LHEUREUX
At