[Adèle comes in.] Adèle, come, now you shall hear and understand. If I speak in veiled terms, it is only to spare your conscience in having you know too much. Be quiet. I've got the children up in their rooms. First you are to ask me this question, "Have you a life insurance policy?" Well?
ADÈLE [Questioningly and uncertain]. "Have you a life insurance policy?"
DURAND. No, I had one, but I sold it long ago, because I thought I noticed that some one became irritable when it was due. But I have a fire insurance. Here are the papers. Hide them well. Now, I'm going to ask you something; do you know how many candles there are in a pound, mass candles at seventy-five centimes?
ADÈLE. There are six.
DURAND [Indicating the package of candles]. How many candles are there there?
ADÈLE. Only five.
DURAND. Because the sixth is placed very high up and very near—
ADÈLE.—Good Lord!
DURAND [Looking at his watch]. In five minutes or so, it will be burned out.
ADÈLE. No!