“GOOD NIGHT, BABETTE.”

“ Si vieillesse pouvait!”
SCENE.- A small neat room. In a high Voltaire chair sits a white-haired old gentleman.

MONSIEUR VIEUXBOIS. BABETTE.
M. VIEUXBOIS (turning querulously). And once, I know, she peeped and laughed
Day of my life! Where can she get?

Betwixt the curtains. . . Babette! I say! Babette !—Babette!

Where's the draught?

(She gives him a cup.) BABETTE (entering hurriedly).

Now I shall sleep, I think, Babette;
Coming, M'sieu'! If M'sieu' speaks Sing me your Norman chansonnette.
So loud he won't be well for weeks!

BABETTE (sings).
M. VIEUXBOIS.

“Once at the Angelus . Where have you been?

(Ere I was dead),

Angels all glorious
BABETTE.

Came to my bed ;-
Why, M'sieu' knows;-

Angels in blue and white
April! Ville-d’Avray!... Ma'am'selle

Crowned on the head."
Rose!

M. VIEUXBOIS (drowsily).
M. VIEUXBOIS.

“She was an angel.”... “Once she Ah! I am old,—and I forget.

laughed.” .. Was the place growing green, Babette?

What, was I dreaming?
BABETTE.

Where's the draught? But of a greenness!-yes, M'sieu’!:

BABETTE (showing the empty cup). And then the sky so blue !--so blue!

The draught, M'sieu'?
And when I dropped my immortelle,
How the birds sang!

M. VIEUXBOIS.
(Lifting her apron to her eyes.)

How I forget! This poor Ma'am'selle! I am so old! But sing, Babette!

M. VIEUXBOIS.
You're a good girl, Babette, but she,-
She was an angel, verily.
Sometimes I think I see her yet
Stand smiling by the cabinet;

BABETTE (sings).
“ One was the friend I left

Stark in the snow;
One was the wife that died

Long,—long ago ;