.

found Madame’s husband? There’s an honest reward!

      (laughter increases)

      GERVAISE

      You know very well! You know very well! I will strangle you.

      VIRGINIA (bluntly)

      Well, yes! I took him from you! Are you satisfied? The two of us will adore him together. And he let you go. He had enough of you!

      GERVAISE (pulling stuff from a small pail and throwing the contents on her)

      Slut!

      VIRGINIA

      She ruined my dress! Wait, wait— (she throws the water from her pail) You caught that one. Brush your teeth in it!

      (the washerwomen separate them and restrain them)

      JULIETTE

      They’re not funny!

      LOUISE

      She’s right—the blonde—if she took her husband from her.

      MADAME BOCHE (who has prudently withdrawn)

      I have palpitations. Charles! Charles!

      CHARLES (peeping)

      Oh! What a farce! What a farce!

      MADAME BOCHE

      What? There you are. Go find the cops!

      CHARLES

      No, no! That would compromise the house.

      GERVAISE (to the washerwomen holding her back)

      Let me go, let me do her business!

      VIRGINIA (taking her stick)

      Ah. Madame wants the great—

      GERVAISE

      Don’t laugh—it’s necessary that one of the two of us remain. (taking her stick) Ah—I’ll mark you for the rest of your life. Here!

      (the washerwomen watch the two combatants. Charles standing on a chair, roars in laughter)

      THE WASHERWOMEN

      They’re going to kill each other, separate them.

      VIRGINIA (letting out a scream)

      Ah!

      GERVAISE (coming out of the circle)

      She got what was coming to her.

      (the group opens. Virginia withdraws to the right, all ashamed)

      MADAME BOCHE (to Gervaise)

      My God! What butchery! Let’s get out of here right away. Do you want me to help you? (she throws her wet linen over her shoulder)

      GERVAISE

      Thanks!

      LOUISE

      A plucky woman, all the same—the blonde!

      THEWASHERWOMEN

      Bravo! Bravo!

      GERVAISE (returning to Virginia)

      And don’t swagger or I’ll start over. (she withdraws)

      THE WASHERWOMEN

      Bravo! Bravo!

      VIRGINIA (alone—forestage)

      Let her remember today. As for me, I’ll never forget it. And I’ll avenge myself, even if I have to die to do it. (shaking her fist) You’ve just made your misfortune.

      ALL THE WOMEN

      Bravo! Bravo!

      (Gervaise is on the steps at the back. She turns one last time to look at Virginia)

      CURTAIN