"That's my girl!" " Marius." " Fanny!" " What's on your mind?" " You, maybe." "Liar." "I never think about you?" "Only when you see me." "Will you treat me to a coffee?" "Quick." "Dad's napping." "You weren't at the Cascade." " You go there?" " I danced with Victor." "Is he as stupid when he dances?" "You're mean." "Where did you go?" "For a walk." "Where?" "Along the pier." "In the evening air." " Alone?" " Yes." "Hey." "The Saigon." "How do you know?" "That's the Yarra asking for the pilot." "Marius!" " Something's whistling." " It's the Yarra." "You fool, it's the percolator." "Marius, are you treating her to coffee?" "Do you want some too?" "No." "Why not?" "If we drink for free, what'll we give the customers?" "One cup won't ruin you." "It's the attitude I don't like." "What attitude?" "Drinking the place dry while I nap." "You've gone and offended me now." "Offended you?" "How?" "If I can't offer her coffee, what am I?" "A child." "A child who obeys his father." " At his age?" " Yes, beauty." "I was 32 years old when my dad kicked my behind for the last time." "That was our family." "Respect and tenderness." "With kicks." "And we were grateful." "If my mom slapped me, I don't know what I'd do." "You'd cry in a corner." "If your poor dad were alive to smack you now and then, it wouldn't do any harm." "Have kids." "They'll make your life a misery." "A misery?" "I do half the work here." "Sure." "Whenever you're needed, you vanish." "Me?" "I'm at the bar all day!" "That's true." "But you work with such a look of disgust." "You're gloomy, you're pale." "Like a teetotaller!" "Maybe I'm depressive." " You?" " Why not?" " How did you catch that?" " Like that." "I'll teach you to pull your dad's leg!" "Sell your clams instead of idling around!" "You're sluggish and lazy." "You're a dreamer, that's what." "Born here but you don't know your trade." " That's a good one!" " No, you don't know your trade!" "You can't mix drinks properly." "Your Picon-lemon-curaÃ§ao " "Forget it, it's a disaster." "I'll explain it for the tenth time." "One pound for the lady." "Come here." "First, you take one third... of curaÃ§ao." "Careful, just a tiny third." "Then a third of lemon." "A bit bigger, see?" "And now... a good third of Picon." "Look at the colour." "See how pretty it is." "And, to finish it off, a generous third of water." "That makes four thirds." "Exactly." "I hope you've understood this time." "A glass holds three thirds." "It depends on the thirds, stupid." "Even a watering can only holds three thirds." "So how did I manage to get four thirds in this?" "It's arithmetic." "Arithmetic!" "Change the subject when you don't know what to say!" "Is the last drop arithmetic too?" "What last drop?" "The one left hanging on the bottle!" "It's simple enough." "Look." "You pour like this, with a quarter turn." "Then, with the cork, you push the drop back in." "But you do it like an amateur." "The drop runs down the label, making the bottle easy to take but hard to let go of." " You're laughing?" " You too." "Laughing at my patience." "Climb on board, please." "Captain!" "What's he doing now?" "Captain!" "Aren't we leaving?" "Any passengers?" "There's... just one." "All right." "Chat to him while he waits." "I won't be long." "Very good, captain." "Mr. Brun, half mussels, half clams." "And the same for me." "And for you, Mr. Panisse, two nice sea figs too." "Thank you, sweetheart" "With a nice white wine." "If it's chilled." "Try it." "You'd think it's from vineyards at the North Pole." "Full steam ahead!" "Hell's bells, half past midday." "Toreador, beware" " Where's he going?" " He sees his lady love today." "A pretty Italian." "A fine figure of a woman." "No, he's changed." "For a Dutch lady twice the size." "Charming!" "Panisse!" "Have you seen Mr. Panisse?" " You neither?" " No." "A big order " "He must be at the bar." "Hey, kid!" " Me?" " Yes, you." "Mr. Panisse, the mate from the Malaisie is at your shop for a big order." "Thank you." "I'm on my way." "I'll tell them." "The Malaisie." "When does her mission begin?" "In a month." "I have to supply a full set of sails." "A mission on a sailboat?" "They're studying winds and currents from Suez to Oceania." "And she has a small engine." " Who told you that?" " A quartermaster who drank here." " I'll be going." " Already?" "What do you think?" "When you're not a man of means, work is work." "He's remarrying." "It's a bit hasty." "Only three months a widower." "Three months a widower, but a cuckold 20 years!" "Marius!" " What?" " Come here!" "Look, Honorine, that's the one." "Very pretty." "Mind your step." "It's a bit slippery." "Listen, Panisse." "Let's get down to business." "Have you thought it over?" "Of course." "She's 30 years younger than you." "That's not my fault." " You know how it'll go?" " She'll have everything she wants." "Money, dresses, jewels." "I know that." "You're a good man." "But she mustn't lack the main thing." " What main thing?" " I know what I mean." "Honorine, only talk about what you know." " I know love's the finest thing." " I totally agree." " But it's better to be 18." " She is 18." "And you're 50." "But I have 600,000 francs." "Nightshirts don't have pockets." "I'm saying this for your sake." "I look at you and see horns big enough to pierce the ceiling." "You're wrong and that's that." "All I want you to do is agree." "I'll see to the rest." "Mom!" "My little peach." "What a beauty." "Come on!" "What are you looking at?" "A pretty neckline." "You'd like to see more." "It wouldn't scare me." "You?" "You'd run a mile!" "You think so?" "When a girl looks at you, you lower your eyes." "Look me in the eye." "Silly." "What's so funny?" "Nothing." "Come on!" "I need some advice." "Yes?" "I think I'm going to get married." "Who to?" "I'll tell you because I want your advice." "All right." "Who to?" "Maybe I shouldn't tell you." "So keep it to yourself." "You'll know soon." "I know already." "It's young Victor." "Everyone has seen him." "He buys shellfish from you every day." "He eats so much, he almost died of hives." " So?" " So he's a fool." "And his dad still runs the store." "I don't need his store." "And I don't care about Victor." "Who is it then?" "Panisse." "Panisse?" "Old Panisse?" "Mister Panisse." "Old Panisse?" " You don't believe me?" " No." "You won't give me any advice then?" "Next time you pull my leg, come up with a less ridiculous story." "The sun rules by day" "But hide this face from him above" "For his passion could burn away" "The sweet roses of love" "Panisse, did you make that up?" "I'd be lying if I said I did." "Two glasses of anisette!" "Is one for me?" "Who else would it be for?" "Your mother is looking at my accounts." "I think we'll reach an agreement if you say yes." " I asked for a few days." " You were right to." "Keep a man waiting." "I'll be even happier when you say yes." " How many workers do you have?" " Twenty-three." "You're spilling it!" "He's a bit tired today." "That's no way to do things." " I forgot my matches." " Wait." "That was very kind of you." "A match held by such pretty hands." "Don't call my hands pretty." "They're so tiny and dainty." "They're slender, they're warm." " With a pretty ring." " You like it?" "Is it gold?" " Never had a gold ring?" " No." "Is your necklace gold?" "Yes." "Aunt ZoÃ© gave it to me for my first communion." "With a medallion?" "Wait." "Let me get it out." " What's marked on it?" " My date of birth." "Your mom's calling you!" " I didn't hear." " Three times already!" "You're hearing things." "If she needs you, she knows where you are." "Let's be serious now." "Your mother and I have talked figures." " Am I disturbing you?" " No." "You stop talking whenever I come closer." "Maybe it's a private conversation." "You're talking filth then." "Filth?" "You cheeky devil!" " Watch who you're talking to." " I'm talking to you!" "And my hand's burning to belt you one." "Belt me one?" "The poor boy!" "Stand up." "Come on, if you're a man!" "Careful, you don't know me." "So let's get acquainted, you poor fool!" "Poor?" "You're calling me poor?" " Panisse!" " This is a man's matter." "Go ahead, belt me one." "Not with your gray hair." "I should tear it out to make you happy?" "You're needed at the store." "I'm busy!" "You're a lucky fellow." "Fanny, I have to go." "Business calls." "I'll wait for you at home." "I refuse to set foot again in a cafe where people can't keep their place." "Your fancy accent doesn't impress me." "Fanny, see you later." "I'll be waiting." "Keep the change... boy!" " Something wrong?" " Not at all." "Shame on you, fooling that old man." "I can't get married now?" "Have you even thought about it?" " What?" " Being alone with him!" " I'll see." " He'll want to kiss you." "Too bad." "Think of all the things I can't mention." "He'll hold you in his arms, that dirty old swine!" "Think I'm jealous?" "Marius, to be jealous you have to be in love." " We're old friends, not lovers." " Of course." "I could have loved you too." "A pretty girl like you - It would have been easy." "But I didn't want to because I knew I couldn't marry." "Going to be a monk?" "No, but I can't marry anyone." "That's nonsense." "It isn't, it's the truth." "Come on!" " Right now?" " Yes." "Can you watch the bar?" " What about customers?" " Serve them." "Here's the guy." "I have a place on the Coromandel." " How long?" " Ten months." "Suez, Aden, Bombay," "Colombo, Makassar, Sydney!" "Have you seen Marius, you idler?" "No, I haven't." "What's the boy up to?" "The same trip as the Malaisie." " Suits me." " Nothing's final yet." "Not if the Corsican turns up tonight." "Tonight?" "We sail at midnight." "How will I know?" "I'll come to tell you." "Frisepoulet... tell Panisse to come for some sparkling wine." " That far?" " It's only 30 yards!" "What'll you give me?" "A kick up your arse if you don't move it!" "Good evening." "Fanny!" "What's wrong?" "Open the door." "I have a headache." "Nonsense!" "What's the matter?" "I have my train to Aix tonight." "Open the door!" "Don't worry, Mom." "I'm fine." "Mom!" "Marius." "Of course, Marius." "All this fuss over Marius." "Ever since primary school." "Girls can be so silly." "Mr. Panisse has proposed but you cry for some boy who rinses glasses." "Come on, you goose, stop crying." "If you want your Marius, you can have him." "I won't say no." "But he doesn't want me!" "What do you mean?" " What are you so upset about?" " Your son's a lout." " My son's a lout?" " He provoked me." "All right." "But what did you say to him?" "Nothing at all." "You must have pushed him." "I swear I didn't say a thing." "All of a sudden, he pounced on me." "That's a bit much." "He wanted to strangle me." "I sense a woman behind this." "Only love makes a man so stupid." "Could he be in love with Fanny?" "No, they've known each other too long." "Well, when he rushed at me, I was sitting next to Fanny." "So what?" "Maybe he thought I was courting her." "He's mad but not mad enough to be jealous of an old ape." "Who knows?" "I'm serious." "It's nothing to do with Fanny." "Some woman in town must be making him suffer." "It may be Escartefigue's wife." "She's made 50 men happy, she wouldn't make a friend's son suffer." "Who then?" "Try asking Marius." "I'll end up doing that, but I can't talk to him about women." "Why not?" " I'm embarrassed." " Whatever for?" "As a father." "You have some very fancy feelings." "If you were a father, you'd be as fancy as me, you peasant." "Come and see your post, just in case." "Go on." "Norine!" "What are you doing out this late?" "I'm off to my sister's." "The train's at 11." "I'm early, so I stopped here to have a word." "Go ahead." "It's not easy." "It's about Fanny and Marius." "Fanny and Marius?" "Have a seat." " What'll you have?" " Mandarin and lemon." "Mandarin and lemon." "Well?" "Fanny and Marius." "Is it that difficult?" "Panisse wants her." "Panisse wants her?" "What for?" "To marry her!" " He's mad." " I told him that." "What did she say?" "Yes, if she can't have the one she wants." "And the one she wants is Marius." "Exactly." "Well?" "She said she loves Marius." "They talked today." "Good." "What did he say?" "That she mustn't marry Panisse." "But he said he loved her?" "He made her understand he does." " Did he kiss her?" " No." "He made her understand without kissing her?" "Odd." "But they're fond of each other?" "Marius said he couldn't marry her!" " Why not?" " He won't say!" "She virtually asked for his hand and he won't answer and made her cry without telling her why!" "Is that any way to behave?" "What does the tap-boy want?" "A princess?" "Don't get so upset." "Maybe he doesn't love her after all." "So why is he so jealous of Panisse?" "This can't be that difficult to son out." "Sod it out fast then because if she keeps on crying," "I'll burn this place down!" "Calm down, Norine." "He turned her down so we'll wait here for him and ask him why." " Not in front of me." " Why not?" "I don't want him seeing me." "I know men." "If we tell him Fanny asked for his hand, she can never criticize him because he'll say, â€œYou wanted me, your mother said you were crying, etc.â" "He'll despise her and they'll be unhappy." "She mustn't mention Panisse in that case." "Why would she?" "Because if you know men, I know women." "In their first argument she'll say, âI turned down Panisse for you, a man rolling in money."" "And so on and so forth." "She'll do him to death with Panisse." "Say nothing to him and I swear she'll never mention Panisse." "All right." "Drink to it?" " Let's drink to it." " Cheers." "What do you think about it?" "I'll have to see." "If it went ahead, what would you give the girl?" "I'd give her the shellfish stall." "That's not a lot." "Many men would gladly take her empty-handed." "She's no hunchback." "She's no hunchback but my boy's no cripple either." "He's a handsome boy." "So he deserves Rothschild's daughter?" "Forget Rothschild." "If they marry and have children, they'll need money." "In that case, I'll give them an allowance." "What will you give him?" "He'll keep helping me here until I retire." "And I'll put them up." "There's plenty of room." "I'll give him 1,500 francs a month." "No, CÃ©sar, give a bit more." "How much then?" "You should give him..." "You should give him two fine slices of conger and a scorpion fish whose tail is still moving." "A scorpion fish whose tail is still moving?" "Exactly." "I'd add some baby squid, gray crabs and a bit of gurnard." "You've had enough!" "It's Marius." "Add a nice lobster to all that." " Ordering bouillabaisse?" " Yes." "You're back?" "I took a walk but I got delayed." "We'll settle the details tomorrow." "The earlier the better." "A bouillabaisse like that won't wait." "Right, time for my train." "Good-bye, CÃ©sar." "Good evening, Mr. Panisse." "What's wrong, my dear?" "I'd like to talk to you." "You want to talk to me?" "Well, come in, sweetheart" "Where were you all this time?" "I was playing billiards." " I'm sure that isn't true." " What?" "It isn't true!" "Shut up!" "Forget all that." "I have more serious things to say." "Such as?" "All right, sooner or later, you're going to get married." "Me?" "Why?" "It's natural and normal." "And necessary for the business." " Won't you ever marry?" " I don't know." " So think about it." " Why?" "Because" "Panisse has proposed to Fanny." "I know." "So what?" "Don't be silly." "I know you're in love with her." " Who said that?" " A little bird." " A dumb one." " Not at all." "Why else did you pounce on Panisse like a wild beast?" "You nearly strangled him too." "We were arguing " "About what?" "About Fanny!" "You wanted to get rid of a rival!" "You can't see there's another way to get rid of him?" "Propose to Fanny." "I don't want to." " Why not?" " I don't want to get married!" " You're a liar!" " Why?" "Because you're lying!" "You love her and you're mad because he's marrying her!" "You're unbearable!" "If you're mad, say so, and I'll send you to the asylum!" "But if you're not mad and trust your dad a little, tell me what's going on." "Is it a woman?" "Well..." "Yes," "I knew it." "Who is she?" "I don't like to talk about it." "I don't either." "But I hate seeing you look stupid so who is she?" "You can't love her since you love Fanny." "Maybe I pity her." "And pity makes you stupid?" "Well, since you insist, I'll tell you." "She's a woman that I've loved." "And who loves me." "Very much." "If I told her I'm getting married, she'd suffer." "Yes, she'd suffer." " Even kill herself." " That's bad." "And maybe... she'd shoot me dead." "Horrible!" "None of that." "That's why I need time to get her used to the idea." "You see, it's simple." "Yes." "It's simple." "Very simple." "I'm not asking you to tell me her name." "I know you'll refuse." "But, tell me it isn't Escartefigue's wife." "No, it's not her." "All right." "So what do we do about Fanny?" "Let's wait." "What if she accepts Panisse?" "She won't." "What if she does?" "In that case... too bad." "Too bad?" "You're too much." "We'll need to talk about this again in the morning." "In the morning." "Give me the till." "This will keep me up all night." "You're yawning a lot in that case." "Good night, Son." "Good night, Dad." "Dad?" "I'm really fond of you." "What did you say?" "I'm fond of you." "I'm fond of you too." "Why do you say that?" "Because I see you take care of me." "See you worry about me." "That makes me think..." "I'm fond of you." "Of course." "You big idiot!" "Good night, Dad." "Good night." "My son." "You know, sometimes I say you make my life a misery." "But that's not true." "You're not too upset?" "No, my pretty." "Don't you worry about me." "I should have realized." "But what can I say?" "You're so beautiful " "Hurry on home now." "Good night." "It's you?" " What's wrong?" " Nothing serious." "I left the key on the stall." "I came to get it." "I saw a light, so I knocked." "You were right to." "I wanted to tell you - I took your advice." "What advice?" "I turned Panisse down." "I don't know if you were right to." "You told me to." "Maybe you were a bit hasty." "It's too great a responsibility for me." "My father isn't in bed yet so " "See you tomorrow, Fanny." " You're turning me away." " I'm not!" "Don't be angry." "Come in for a minute." "Come in." "I'd like to talk to you about this marriage to Panisse." "I'd like to talk like a brother." "You're not my brother." "You're like my little sister." "I don't want to be your sister." "You're the one I love." "You're the one I want." "Now you've made me say it, please don't look at me." "You shouldn't have told me." "Don't you love me?" "Marius, you love me." "I know you do." "I can't get married." "Why not?" "You have a mistress?" "It's nothing to be ashamed of." "I asked that waitress if it was her." " She doesn't know you." " What will she think?" "Whatever she wants." "I'll watch you day and night." "I'll find out who it is." "It's not anyone!" "If I got married..." "I'd marry you." "And now, ask no more questions." " Who are you talking to?" " No one." "Talking to himself now." "Are you sleepwalking?" "Go to bed, you daft fool." "Check the third barrel of beer." "I didn't close it properly." "I'll take a look." "Fanny, we'll talk about all this in the morning." "Tell me." "You wouldn't understand." "You might betray me." "Me?" "Betray you?" "All right, I'll tell you." "I want to go away." " Where?" " Anywhere." "But far from here." "You're unhappy with your dad?" " Who's making you leave?" " No one." "I just want to." " Take me too." " I can't." "You want to go to sea?" "Yes." "Piquoiseau talked you into it." "No." "I've wanted to for a long time." "One evening, a sailboat moored outside the bar." "A three-master." "Carrying wood from the Caribbean." "Wood black on the outside and golden inside." "Wood that smelled of camphor and pepper." "It came from a chain of islands called the Leeward Islands." "I got talking to the crew when they came to sit here and they told me about their land." "They made me drink the rum they make." "It was smooth and so spicy." "Then, one evening " "One evening they left." "So I went to the pier... and watched that beautiful ship sail away." "It set off towards the sun... heading for the Leeward Islands." "That was how I got the idea." "There was a woman on it and you want to see her again." "Not at all." "You see, you can't understand!" "It's those islands then?" "The Leeward Islands?" "I'd rather never go there so they stay as I imagine them." "But I want to travel." "Now you know." "It's a silly thing, an idea impossible to explain." "I want to get away." "And you want to leave me for that?" "Now I've told you, Fanny dear, just go." "Are you leaving tonight?" "Yes." "Perhaps." "I'm waiting to hear." "Please, don't go!" "I beg you, Marius, not tonight." "Later, on another ship." "Not now." "Stay a while longer." "I'll always love you." "If they arrested me, you wouldn't cry." "You'd want me to be brave." "Let me leave." "Forget me." "Never." "I'll wait for you." "Don't!" "I want to leave." "Don't go." "If you go, I'll drown myself!" "The Corsican is back." "He's back?" "He's on board." "You're not leaving!" "Don't be sad." "Don't cry." "I'll love you so much that I'll cure you." "It's over now." "I'm keeping you." "Landlord, give me a bottle of rum!" "You're still up!" "There's a light on!" "What is all this?" "No rum!" "We're closed!" "Go to bed!" "Want me to come down?" "Go to bed!" "Dad's coming down." "Quick." "What's the boy up to?" "Are you asleep?" "He's asleep." "You'll never love another?" "Of course not." "You know that." "Another woman?" "Never." "One month later..." "FÃ©lix." "It's your turn." " I'm hesitating." " Don't take all night!" "Captain, we're waiting." "It's not easy." "They have 32?" " And us?" " 30." " We're close on 34." " It's all on this hand." "So is Panisse cutting on heads?" "If you'd followed, you'd know." "It's a silent game." "No talking." "In a championship, you'd be disqualified." "I've done 10 championships and never seen a face like yours." "You've had it." "Your base insults can't hurt us." "Maybe, but does Panisse cut on heads?" "No talking, even to say hello." "I'm thinking!" "Think in silence!" " No signals!" " I'm making signals?" "Just look at your cards!" "Keep on pulling faces and I'm through!" "Calm down." "Their goose is cooked." "I know the game of manille and I wouldn't hesitate a second if I knew Panisse was cutting on heads." "They're at it again!" "Watch Escartefigue, I'll watch CÃ©sar!" "What?" "Watching me like a cheat?" "Me?" "A childhood friend?" "Thanks a lot!" " Have I hurt you?" " Not at all." "Anyone would think I'm a crook." "Thanks a lot." "You're breaking my head." "You're breaking my head." "You're breaking my head." "You're breaking my head!" "Not playing now?" "!" "He's breaking my head!" "He's doing nothing to you?" "Very good." "Here!" "Heads!" "I'm not stupid!" "You made him realize I cut on heads." "Enough!" "I'm not playing with a Greek!" "He won't be back now!" "Too bad for him." "He was wrong." "Wrong to get angry, but you were wrong to cheat." "If you can't cheat with friends, why play cards?" "Mr. Brun, let's play to see who pays for the drinks." "Good evening, gentlemen." "Good evening, Fanny." " Off to bed?" " I'm walking Mom to the station." "What a good girl." " Is Marius here?" " Why?" "I need him to fetch my baskets tomorrow." "Come here!" "Can you help me tomorrow?" "Of course." "See you tomorrow, Fanny." " Make sure your mom goes." " I'm seeing her off." "Good night." "Pretty as a picture, isn't she?" "Yes, she's very pretty." "If she knew where he goes tonight, she'd fret." "Why?" "He sees his old mistress." "I suspect that's why he's in no hurry to get engaged." "What a rascal!" "He dresses up to spend his night with a woman." " And her day is Wednesday." " How do you know?" "He'll go out later and say, âGood night, Dad."" "I'll say, âGoing for a walk?" He'll reply, âI'm off to the cinema."" "He goes round to the back alley, climbs in through his window and locks the door from the inside." "Why?" "Tomorrow, if his door's locked, I'll think he's asleep." "He's a sly one." "My son's smart But so am I." "Here he comes." "Shuffle." " Good night, Dad." " Going for a walk?" "I'm off to the cinema." " Got money?" " I'm fine." "All right." "Don't come home too late." " Around 1." " All right, but no later." "Be good." "Marius, be good, ok?" "He's going round the back." "Tell me, CÃ©sar " "Tell me, CÃ©sar, who's his mistress?" "No idea." "We only mentioned her once." "It's a delicate matter." "He's a big lad now." "But I think she's a sailor's wife." "Why?" "He spends the night there." "That means the husband's away." "Of course." "32." "35." "36." "37." "37?" "Most cuckolds are in the navy." "40." "What?" "Most cuckolds are in the navy." "40." "Are you cold?" " What did you do?" " Not a thing." "It's because I said that about the navy." "I apologize, old chap." " To the sailor or the cuckold?" " Both." "I don't want your apology now." "If you're a cuckold, it's not your fault." "It's no secret." "Mr. Brun didn't know!" " He told me himself!" " I did?" "It's none of your business." "And don't insult the French navy." "I won't play here again!" " Listen, FÃ©lix " " I won't listen!" "I'll be back tomorrow for an apology." "Good night." " Captain " " Don't insist." "I'll apologize now if you want." "No, think about the seriousness of what you said first!" "Don't add stupidity to the rest!" "I never meant to insult the French navy." "I admire it." "I love it." "You may love the French navy, but the French navy says, âScrew you!"" "It's you." "I couldn't wait to get here." "Hold me tight." "Do you love me?" "Yes, I love you." "And you?" "Me?" "I'm mad about you." "To think you wanted to go to the land of green monkeys." "It was totally inexplicable." "Tell me, you still think about it?" "Not like before." "That madness left as suddenly as it came." "Tell me, Marius, when will we get married?" "When you want." "I'll have a word with my father, then we'll ask your mother." " Shall I explain my plan?" " What plan?" "For our home." " You have a plan?" " I've imagined everything already." "Let's hear it then." "We'll have your dad's big room." "You're off to a bad start" "He'll never give you his room." " Why not?" " Think about it." "That's where Mom died." "He's left everything as it was." "Too bad." "We'll take yours then." "I'll have it papered in blue." "Want to know how I'll furnish it?" "Between the windows, Aunt Zoe's dresser." "Opposite it " " What's that?" " A ship passing by." "She sounded her horn to avoid a collision." "She's a big one!" "What goes opposite the dresser?" "Our bed." "He's not here." "If Fanny's here, Marius is too." "I want a word." "Go ahead." "Marius has no secrets from me." "Maybe not, but I do." " Marius, come on." " Talk in front of me or go." "All right." "Excuse me." "I'll wait at the bar." "I'll see you when you get back." "Bye, you lovebirds!" "That's a bother." "He'll see I don't sleep at home." "Just say he missed you." "He'll tell everyone." "It'll cause a big fuss." "Let me get rid of him." "Hurry then." "I'll wait." "What is it?" "The mate on the Malaisie has a place for you." "Come on!" "Chief." "I can't leave." "You're chickening out?" "I can't." "Your string me along for months and now you dump me?" "I'm sorry." "You're not straight." "I'll be wary of Marseilles boys now." "I need more courage to stay than to leave." "You're missing a fine opportunity." "I bet it's for a woman." "The girl who sells shellfish." "You're that hooked?" "I've no right to leave." " Why not?" " It's a matter of conscience." "You'll regret it." "Never more than now." "That boy will spend his nights weeping." "Where will we find someone now?" "Wait!" "Don't look for anyone." "Hold on." "You said he'd cry a lot at night." "You really think so?" "He won't be very happy." "Look at him!" "You cling to him, you're devouring him!" "Shut up!" "Wait until tomorrow to find someone." "He might leave." "Even if you allow him, he'll refuse." "Come to the bar in the morning." "Fanny!" "Where were you?" "I was worried." "Here." "I was right here." " What did Piquoiseau want?" " Nothing." "He wanted his money and I gave it to him, of course." "What time is it?" "What's the boy doing?" " CÃ©sar!" " Just a second." "You say you pity your old mistress, but since 8 o'clock last night you've had plenty of time to pity her." "Thanks you, Mr. Amourdedieu." "Anytime I can help, I will." "Have a good day, Honorine." "Do you know this belt?" "Has Marius had an accident?" "He'd deserve to, the rascal!" "They have to marry right away!" "Sit down, Norine." "Don't cry like that." "What's wrong?" "I was in Aix, like every Wednesday." " Every Wednesday?" " At my sister's." "Instead of taking the train," "Mr. Amourdedieu drove me back." "And that's how " "What did they say?" "I was so ashamed!" "I left without making a sound." "Marius, you're too much." "What have you done, Son?" " What a scamp." " She's 18, CÃ©sar." "Just 18." "She'll end up like her Aunt ZoÃ©." "Don't say that, Norine!" "Don't cry, Norine." "It will all work out." "A broken leg would be worse." "Who'd have thought it?" "That goody-goody, always holler than thou, like some child." "Let's hope she doesn't have one now!" "How can you laugh about this?" "This is terrible for me!" "My teeth are chattering!" "I'm all discombobulated!" "You're right, you poor dear." "What can I get you?" "Mandarin and lemon." "Oh, my God " "Let's have a drink and take stock of the situation." "It's simple." "When I see her, I'll split her face in two!" "No need to kill her." "With a crowbar, I'll do it!" " Calm down!" " I'll do it!" "Enough, Norine!" "Calm down now." "Sit down, beauty." "Give me that." "We marry them and, in a fortnight, it will all be forgotten." "Children." "They're sweet when they're little." "That's youth." "It's gone before you know it." "That's true but all the same." "Yes, my poor dear." "Youth fades fast and it never returns." "That's Mr. Marius coming in through the window." "If I see him, I'll scratch his eyes out!" "Off you go before you scratch anyone's eyes out." "Look at the state I'm in!" "Calm down, beauty." "You have my word." "We'll marry them fast." " You're late." " I was doing the housework." "You took your time." "We need to open the stall." " I should give you what for!" " Why?" "I got home this morning at 7." "Mom, please forgive me." "It's no way to behave." "Couldn't you have married first?" "Everyone agreed." "You did it out of spite." "Like my sister ZoÃ©." "Out of spite!" "You could have done it honestly." "He wanted to see you sleep?" "He can marry you now!" "Tell him to hurry or else." "No, I will." " No, Mom, please!" " Let go of me!" "If he doesn't propose, you're no longer my daughter." "I'll lock myself away and cry myself to death." "Look at him stealing!" "What do you want?" " Where's the stallholder?" " What do you want?" "The Beau Rivage fish order." "That's not it." " Just woken up, Son?" " What time is it?" "After nine." "I read all night, almost until sunrise." "I keep telling you not to read so late." "It's not good for you." "You don't look well." " I don't?" " Your book must be tiring you." "If I hadn't seen you get up, I'd wonder where you'd been." "Didn't you call me around 7?" "I did but you were sleeping." "We could hear you snoring." "Impossible." " Why?" " I never snore." "Everyone was laughing." "I tried to wake you but the door was locked." " I locked it without thinking." " Without thinking?" "Take your coffee." "The croissants are warm." "Let's eat." "You're losing your trousers." " You think so?" " Looks like it." "Maybe I've lost weight." "You read too much." "Carry on and you'll be as thin as a stockfish." "Why don't you wear a belt?" "I'll buy myself one." "See, the answer's simple." "Good old Marius!" " Hungry this morning?" " Very." "Reading got you hungry." "Good old Marius." "Tell me, your old mistress, the one you felt sorry for " "The suicide." "Do you still see her?" "Of course." "No?" "You still see her?" "You're one hell of a customer!" "Why?" "No reason." "Good old Marius." "Told her you're getting married?" "Not yet." "I've implied it's bound to happen one day." "I suppose you know what you mean." "That's kind for her but not so kind for Fanny." " Why?" " You're keeping her waiting." "You plan to marry her?" "Yes." "My mind's made up." "Why not tell your parents?" "Fanny keeps delaying things." "When I talk about it, she says we have time." "It's odd." "Perhaps she regrets Panisse." "She doesn't care about that old goat." " Why then?" " It's your fault." "My fault?" "You don't know women well yet." "I'll explain them to you." "Women are proud and delicate." "Even if you tell them nothing, they guess everything." "She sees you're in no hurry." "Out of pride, she says you have time." "But tell her the Wedding's tomorrow, and she'll be at the church before the priest." " Maybe you're right." " Not maybe." "I am right." "I'll talk to her." "Listen here, Son." "As soon as you see Fanny, talk to her seriously about it." "As soon as possible." "Remember Zoe." "She was no more dishonest than another." "What was all that about anyway?" "You don't know?" "ZoÃ© was a pretty young thing, very stylish, as sweet as can be." "She worked at the match factory." "I can still see her walking by in her big straw hat." "All the men were under her spell." "She smiled at everyone but she was as good as gold." "Then, one day, she fell for a Spanish sailor." "She thought they'd marry, that he'd give up the sea, and so, they skipped a step or two." "One fine evening, he left." " He abandoned her?" " Yes, he abandoned her." "And ZoÃ© " "The poor girl." "When a man misleads them, it puts them off our kind." "They can't love anyone again." "So they become street girls." "And once they start, they have nothing left to lose." "Honour is like a match." "You can only use it once." "Why tell me all this?" "You mustn't toy with Fanny, you understand?" "Yes, I understand." "I don't suspect her virtue." "I haven't seen a thing." "But if you two have shared conversations or caresses, you have to marry as soon as possible." "You hear me?" "I'll talk to her." "Yes, talk to her about it." "Insist as much as you can." "You understand?" "If you want my opinion, ZoÃ©'s sailor " "He was no man." "Well?" "Are you ready?" "I told you last night, I can't." " Found a replacement?" " Of course not." "I thought you'd realize." "You shouldn't have come." "Especially to say that." "No, I'm not leaving." "If you change your mind, just cross the dock." "I won't change my mind." "I'll send you a postcard." "Why did you say he'd leave?" "I'm a man shod." "He'll be there later." "I seriously doubt it." "Women!" "Fetch your mother." "We need to talk." "Are you in a hurry?" "If you love me, waste no time." "Fetch your mother." "You really want to marry me?" "Marriage is a serious thing, a commitment for life." "Just fetch your mother." "Are you sure you love me enough?" "Have you seen the ship at dock?" " The Malaisie." " They have a place for me." "They came to fetch me." "My pack is ready." "I just need to walk over there but I'm staying." "I'm staying with you." "For how long?" "If you help me, forever." "Maybe, Marius." "But if you marry me, you'll never be happy." "You want to give me your name because you feel responsible." "But you're not responsible." "You didn't ask for anything." "I came looking for you." "Go, Marius, follow your head's desire." "It's not pushing you towards me." "Don't tempt me." "You just have to cross the dock." "If you love me... take me in your arms, hide my eyes and hold me back with all your might!" "We mustn't suffer needlessly." "You still have time." "You poor thing." "What would become of you if I left?" "Don't worry about me." "I've already thought of that." "You've thought of it?" "What does that mean?" "You'll marry Panisse?" "Him or another." "You've spoken to him about it?" "When?" "Several times." "When you said you'd turn him down, you were lying?" "You know, it's not for my sake." "It's a matter of family interest." "And love's not the only thing in life." "Some things are much more powerful." "While I was fighting my desire and suffering in silence... they were arranging things " "Where are you going?" "You're leaving?" "We all go towards what we love." "You're marrying Panisse's money, I'm marrying the sea." " Leaving too, CÃ©sar?" " No, I'm not going anywhere." "Some sail around the world, I go to the end of the street." "Are you staying, Marius?" "Are you staying?" "I can't get by." "My father's in front of the bar." "They're casting off." "Use the window as if you had a romantic rendezvous." "Go via the square." "I'll keep your father busy." "No, say no more." "Just go!" "It's you, Marius!" "Panisse... tell my father " "What?" "What, son?" "Nothing." "Nothing." "CÃ©sar." "Come here, CÃ©sar." "There you go." "I'll be right back." " Have you been crying?" " Perhaps." "You've been crying?" "Marius spoke to you then?" "It's all agreed?" "I'm so pleased." "Good kids, good little Fanny." "Know how long I've been thinking of this marriage?" " Three months?" " No, 11 years." "What am I saying?" "Fourteen years." "You were no higher than a flowerpot and one evening here the boy's mother picked you up, kissed you and said, âYou'll marry my Marius, won't you, Fanny?"" "Everyone in the bar laughed but you didn't laugh." "You opened wide your big dark eyes and you said, âYes!"" "And now here we are." "CÃ©sar!" "Marius is by the Malaisie." " He wants to talk to you." " Not at all." "I sent him to the station for my baskets." "What's wrong with you?" "Upsetting things are happening." "Just open your eyes." "Be gone, you old fool!" "I saw them long ago." "Let's watch the ship set sail." " The customers?" " They can wait." " No." " Why not?" "I want to stay with you." "What for?" "To talk about what interests us." "We're going to need an apartment." "Come and live here with me." "I'm not going to live alone like some old animal." "You know, I'm a bit rough with Marius now and then but I'm fond of him." "He's my child." "If I went six months without seeing him, it would kill me." "Here's what I suggest." "Have you seen my room?" "I'll show you." "Here's what I think." "Come on." "Come on, Fanny dear." "You'll be happy here." "This window is so nice first thing, when the sun wakes you." "In summer, it reaches the bed." "In winter, at around 10, it reaches the clock." "What do you think of the room?" " It's bigger than Marius's." " That's true." "I was thinking." "I'm alone." "I don't need so much space." "I'll take his room and this one will be yours." "Yes, that will make things easier." "I ask only one thing of you." "Leave the bed where it is." "That's where he was born." "And that's where she died." "The Malaisie is leaving." "Bon voyage!" "May God watch them and protect them." "You see that door there?" "There's a small, unused room behind it." "If you like the idea, and I know I would, we'll put a little cot in there, my beauty." "A tiny little cot." "Fanny dear, what's wrong?" "What's wrong, my little dear?" "Fanny!" "Marius, the girl's sick!" "Bring up the bottle of rum!" "Good God, where is the boy?"