SCENE IV.--HARPAGON, CLÉANTE, VALÈRE, MASTER JACQUES.

HAR. And you, my young dandy of a son to whom I have the kindness of

forgiving what happened this morning, mind you don't receive her

coldly, or show her a sour face.

CLE. Receive her coldly! And why should I?

HAR. Why? why? We know pretty well the ways of children whose fathers

marry again, and the looks they give to those we call stepmothers. But

if you wish me to forget your last offence, I advise you, above all

things, to receive her kindly, and, in short, to give her the

heartiest welcome you can.

CLE. To speak the truth, father, I cannot promise you that I am very

happy to see her become my stepmother; but as to receiving her

properly, and as to giving her a kind welcome, I promise to obey you

in that to the very letter.

HAR. Be careful you do, at least.

CLE. You will see that you have no cause to complain.

HAR. You will do wisely.

The Miser · 第 4 / 15 章