He broke off and in the heat of explanation shouted to Cossard:
“Geraldine, give the kiss! Loudly, so that it may be heard!”
Father Cossard turned toward Bosc and smacked his lips vigorously.
“Good! That's the kiss,” said Fauchery triumphantly. “Once more; let's have it once more. Now you see, Rose, I've had time to move, and then I give a little cry—so: 'Oh, she's given him a kiss.' But before I do that, Tardiveau must go up the stage. D'you hear, Fontan? You go up. Come, let's try it again, all together.”
The actors continued the scene again, but Fontan played his part with such an ill grace that they made no sort of progress. Twice Fauchery had to repeat his explanation, each time acting it out with more warmth than before. The actors listened to him with melancholy faces, gazed mom
