Publisher's Synopsis
And now the hour of departure drew near. The pit was thinning and the boxesempty, and pale rays of morning light were glinting into the hall when the boxopener, who was going her rounds, heard sounds of snoring proceeding from oneof the stage boxes. She opened the door, and there was Tom, who, tired out afterhis eventful night, had fallen fast asleep on the floor. The box-opener stepped inand politely hinted that it was six o'clock and time to go home.'Grrooonnn, ' said Tom.'I hear you, ' said the box-opener; 'you're asleep, my good man, but you'll sleepbetter still in your own bed. Come, come, your wife must be getting quite anxious!Upon my word I don't believe he hears a word I say. How heavily he sleeps!' And sheshook him by the shoulder.'Grrrooonnn!''All right, all right! This isn't a time to make believe. Besides, we all know you. Therenow, they're putting out the lights. Shall I send for a cab for you?''Grrroooonnn.''Come, come, the Odéon Theatre isn't an inn; come, be off! Oh, that's what you'reafter, is it? Fie, Monsieur Odry, fie! I shall call the guard; the inspector hasn't goneto bed yet. Ah, indeed! You won't obey rules! You are trying to beat me, are you?
