THE PLAY
Monsieur Perrichon, a retired carriage-maker of Paris, décides to take his wife and daughter for a trip to Switzerland. This would seem to be a simple thing to do, but Monsieur Perrichon is not an ordinary man. He gets excited (s'agiter) very easily, as may be seen from the way in which he behaves (se comporter) at the station. One would imagine that to buy a ticket and to check one's luggage was the most difficult thing in the world ! They at last arrive at their destination, but they are not alone, because two young men, Daniel and Armand, managed (réussir) to get into the same railway carriage. They had met Perrichon's daughter at a bail, and each has now the same idea of following the family wherever they may go. They are very friendly rivais. At first Armand appears to succeed the best. He gets the better of his friend by rescuing the father, who had fallen into a hole on the mountain side. The crack was not very deep and Perrichon informs us later on that there was a fir-tree by the aid of which he could hâve saved himself. Nevertheless Daniel thinks that he ought not to hâve stayed behind drinking his coffee. On the next occasion when the carriage-maker goes out, Daniel
98 EXEBCISES
accompanies him, and instead of rescuing Monsieur Perrichon, he has the happy idea of allowing Monsieur Perrichon to reseue him. The latter is naturally more proud of being a hero than of being merely a subject of sympathy. Beside his wife had made fun of him, because he had gone out on horseback without knowing how to ride. Generosity was not one of the strongest qualities of Monsieur Perrichon, so it can readily be understood that Daniel has now regained the inside track. The author has introduced some very amusing complications into the play. There is for example a very irascible major who wishes to fight a duel with Perrichon, because of some insulting words that the latter had written in the visitors' book in the hôtel. At first Perrichon thinks that he has to deal with a bogus major, but when he discovers his mistake he is very anxious to escape from the duel. He warns the authorities of the time and the place of the rendezvous, but ail his efforts are in vain, because the major had been detained at Clichy and now on coming out from prison wishes to fight at two o'clock instead of at twelve.
VOCABULAEY
VOCABULARY
à, prep., at, to, in, on, by, for,
with.
abasourdi, -e, astounded.
abdiquer, to abdicate.
abîme, m., abyss.
abord, m., approach; d' — ,
first, at first.
abréger, to abridge.
abrupt, -e, steep.
absolument, absolutely.
accorder, to grant.
accourir, to run up, hasten.
acheter, to buy; faire a — ,
to hâve bought.
achever, to finish, acquérir, to acquire.
acquitter (s' ) , to pay, receipt.
action, /., action, share (of
stock) . administration, /., company,
office; — des douanes, cus-
tomhouse.
adresser, to address; s' — , to
apply.
affiche,/., time- table, afîreu-x, -se, frightful.
afin de, in order to; — que, in
order that.
agacer, to irritate.
agent, m., agent; — de la
force publique, public officiai, agir, to art ; s' — (impers.), to
be a question of, be the
matter.
agréer, to accept.
ah, ah!; — bah! You don't
mean it; — çà, see hère !
ahuri, lunatic.
aïe! oh! (a cry of pain).
ailleurs, elsewhere; d' — , be-
sides.
aimable, kind, amiable, aimer, to love, like; — mieux,
to prefer.
ainsi, thus, for example, air, m., air, manner; avoir 1* —
de, to appear.
ajouter, to add.
aller, to go; — donc ! non-
sense!; s'en — , to go away.
allumer, to light.
alors, then, so.
Alpes,/, pi, the Alps.
amertume,/., bitterness.
ami, m., friend.
amical, friendly.
amour, m., love, amoureu-x, -se, in love with.
an, m., year; par — , yearly.
ancien, -ne, former, retired.
ange, m., angel.
angle, m., angle, corner, animal, m., animal, stupid
fellow.
année,/., year.
antichambre, /., antechamber.
apercevoir, to perceive.
appartement, m., room, suite of
rooms.
appartenir, to belong.
appeler, to call, name.
VOCABULARY
appointements, m., salary.
apporter, to bring.
appréciation, /., comment, re-
niark.
apprendre, to teach, learn.
approcher, to draw up, bring
near; s' — , to approach.
après, after, afterwards.
argent, m., money, silver.
armée,/., army.
arracher, to tear, snatch.
arrêter (s' ) , to stop, arriver, to arrive, happen.
arrondissement, m., ward.
arroser, to water.
arrosoir, m., watering pot.
artifice, m., art; feu d'- — ,
fireworks.
asseoir (s' ) , to sit down.
assez, enough.
assignation, /., summons, sub-
pœna.
assister, to help, be présent, associé, m., partner. .
associer, to associate, invest.
assurer, to assure, déclare;
s' — , to ascertain.
atroce, awful.
attacher, to attach ; s' — ,
to cling.
attendre, to wait, wait for;
s' — à, to expect.
attendrir, to touch, affect.
atténuer, to belittle.
attrape ! caught ! one on me !
attribuer, to attribute, ascribe.
auberge,/., inn.
aubergiste, m., innkecper.
aucun, -e, ne . . . — , no,
none.
aujourd'hui, to-day.
aune,/., ell, yard, aurore,/., dawn.
aussi, as, so, also, likewise,
therefore.
aussitôt que, as soon as.
autant que, as much as, as
many as.
auteur, m., author.
autorité, /., authority, police, autre, other, else.
avance, /., advance; en—,
ahead of time.
avancé, wiser.
avant, before.
avant-hier, m., the day before
yesterday.
avare, stingy.
avec, with.
avenir, m., future.
avis, m., counsel, opinion;
changer d' — , to change one' s
mind.
avoir, to hâve; — chaud, to be
warm; — beau, in vain.
avouer, to own, confess.
bagages, m. pi., baggage, bag-
gage room.
baisser, to lower, fall (in price).
bal, m., bail, dance.
balustrade , /. , railing.
banal, commonplace.
banc, m., bench.
banque,/., bank.
banquier, m., banker. barbue,/., brill.
barrière,/., railing, gâte.
bas, -se, low, aside.
bataille,/., battle.
bâton, m., stick, cane; — ferré,
alpenstock.
battre, to beat; se — , to fight.
beau (bel, belle), beautiful;
(see avoir), beaucoup, much, many.
beau-père, m., father-in-law.
VOCABULARY
bénéfice, m., benefit.
bénir, to bless.
besoin, m., need.
bête,/., beast, blockhead.
bête, silly, stupid.
bêtise, /., nonsense, folly.
bien, m., good, property.
bien, well, indeed, rarely, etc.
bienfait, m., benefit.
bientôt, soon.
bienveillance,/., good will.
bienvenu, m., welcome.
biffer, to erase.
billet, m., note, ticket; — de
faire part, wedding announce-
ment.
bizarre, queer.
blesser, to wound.
blond, fair.
boire, to drink.
bois, m., wood.
bon, -ne, good, silly; de bonne
heure, early; à la bonne
heure, alright ! capital !
bonheur, n., good fortune,
happiness.
bonhomme, m.f fellow, good
fellow.
bonjour, m., good day, how are
you?
bonté,/., kindness.
bord, m., bank, edge.
borner (se),to confine, boule,/., bail, bouquet, m., bouquet, climax,
finale (offireworks, etc.).
bourgeois, m., sir, citizen, bousculer, to jostle, worry.
brave, good, fine, brave, briser, to break, destroy.
bruit, m., noise, rumour.
brûler, to burn.
brusquement, quickly.
bulletin, n., baggage receipt,
check.
bureau, m., desk, office, buvard, m., blotter, writing pad.
çà, hère.
ça, (cela), that; ah ! ça ! well!
I déclare !
cabrer (se) , to rear.
cacher, to hide.
cacheter, to seal.
cachot, m., cell, prison, cadeau, m., présent, café, m., coffee.
caisse,/., cashier's box.
calotte, /., travelling cap.
campagne,/., campaign, coun-
try.
canapé, m., sofa, caner, to back down (colloq.).
cantonade, /., à la — , behind
the scènes, caoutchouc, m., raincoat,water-
proof coat.
capital, m., capital, stock; —
social, capital stock.
caquet, m., chatter.
car, because, for.
carnet, m., notebook, diary.
carrosserie, /., carriage-making
business, carrossier, m., carriage-maker.
carte,/., visiting card.
carton, m., bandbox.
cas, m., case, esteem; faire —
de, to value, caser, to settle casser, to break, casserole,/., saucepan; à la — ,
stewed.
causer, to cause, talk.
cavalier, m., hor.scnnin.
ceci, this.
céder, to yield.
VOCAB ULAR Y
cela, that.
cent, m., a hundred.
centime, m., centime (one
fifth of a cent).
cependant , ho wever , meanwhile .
certes, truly, indeed.
cesse,/., rest, respite.
chacun, each, every one.
chagrin, m., sorrow.
chaise,/., chair.
• chambre, /., room; la sixième
— , court of the sixth
judicial district, chance,/., chance, luck.
chanter, to sing.
chapeau, m., hat.
chaque, each, every.
charge,/., load, burden.
charger, to charge, intrust.
chariot, m., truck.
chaud, warm.
chausson, m., felt shoe.
chemin, m., road; — de fer,
railroad.
cheminée,/., mantelpiece.
cher, dear, expensive.
chercher, to search, seek.
cheval, m., horse.
chevalerie,/., gallantry.
chez, at, at the house of.
choisir, to choose.
choix, m., choice.
chose,/., thing.
chut, hush.
chute,/., fall.
Cie, abbrev. for Compagnie,
Company, ciel, m., heaven, sky, heavens!
cinq, five.
cinquante, fifty.
citoyen, m., citizen, cloche, /., bell.
cocher, m., driver, coachman.
code, m., code; — civil, also
called the Code Napoléon.
cœur, n., heart, courage coiffer, to do the hair.
col, m., stock, collar.
colère,/., anger.
combattant, m., fighter, drbei-
ist.
combattre, to fight.
combien, how much, how many.
combler, to heap, overwhelm
with.
commandant, m., commandant,
major, comme, how, as if, like.
comment, how, what! —
donc, tobe sure.
commerçant, m., merchant.
commissionaire, m., porter, compagnie,/., company.
compagnon, m., companion.
comparaître, to appear.
comprendre, to understand.
compromettant, compromising.
compte, m., account.
compter, to count, expect.
concerter (se), to consult, take
measures.
concevoir, to conceive.
concierge, m., janitor, porter.
conclure, to conclude.
concours, m., contest, ra:e.
conduire, to conduct, drive, confiance, /., confidence, reli-
ance.
congé, m., leave of absence,
holiday.
connaissance,/., acquaintance.
connaître, to know.
consacrer, to commemorate.
conseil, m., advice.
consigner, to pay.
constater, to state, prove.
constitution, /., constitution,
nature, contrarier, to oppose, annoy.
contre, against.
VOCABULARY
convenir, to agrée.
convoi, m., train.
corps, m., body.
correspondant, m., agent.
corriger, to correct.
côté, m., side.
coulisse, /., wings, side scène (of a stage).
coup, m., blow; — de sonnette, ring.
couper, to eut.
courber, to bend.
courir, to run.
course,/., trip, errand.
courtisan, m., courtier, flatterer.
coûter, to cost.
couvert, covered.
craindre, to fear.
cramponner (se), to cling to.
cravate, /., necktie, stock.
créancier, m., creditor.
crevasse,/., crevasse.
cri, m., cry.
crisper, to clench.
croire, to believe.
croiser, to cross; — le fer, to cross swords.
cueillir, to gather.
cuisinière,/., cook.
kculbute,/., fall.
dame,/., lady.
dame, really ! zounds!
dans, in.
danseur, m., dancer, partner, davantage, more.
de, of, by, from, with, in.
débarrasser, to free, rid.
décamper, to leave, decamp.
décidément, decidedly.
décocher, to let fly.
dedans, in, within.
défaut, m., defect, fault.
défendre, to forbid, défend.
dehors, outside.
déjà, already.
déjeuner, to breakfast, lunch.
déjeuner, m., breakfast, lunch.
délicat, délicate, delicious.
demande,/., proposai (of marriagé) , request.
demander, to ask; se — , to wonder.
déménager, to move (one's résidence).
demoiselle,/., girl, young lady.
démontrer, to prove.
départ, m., departure.
dépêcher (se) , to hasten.
dépense,/., expenses.
depuis, since, ago; — que, since.
déranger, to disturb.
derni-er, -ère, last.
dérober, to conceal; se — à, to avoid.
derrière, behind.
dès, from; — que, as soon as.
descendre, to descend, alight, put up (at a hôtel), come to the front of the stage.
désigner, to point out.
désinviter, to withdraw an invitation.
désireu-x, -se, desirous.
désolé, sorry.
désormais, henceforth.
dessus, above, upon.
destituer, to discharge.
deux, two.
deuxième, second.
devant, before; aller au — de, to go to meet.
développer, to explain.
devenir, to become.
dévergondage, m., impertinence, nonsense.
deviner, to guess.
VOCABULARY
devoir, to owe, be obliged.
dévouement, m., dévotion, dévouer, to dévote, diable, m., de vil, deuce.
diablesse,/., she-devil; — de,
deuced.
d'ici là, between now and then.
dicter, to dictate.
dictionnaire, m., dictionary.
Dieu, m., God; gracious!
difficile, difficult.
dire, to say.
direct, direct, express, diriger (se) , to go towards, turn.
disparaître, to disappear.
disposer (se), to prépare one's
self, distingué, distinguished, re-
fined.
distrait, absent-minded.
distribuer, to distribute, arrange.
dix, ten.
domestique, m., servant.
donc, then; allons — , non-
sense. Sometimes not to be
translatée!.
donner, to give; se — la main;
to shake hands.
dont, whose, of whom.
dormir, to sleep.
douane,/., customhouse.
douanier, m., customs officer.
doucement, gently, gradually.
douloureu-x, -se, painfuL dou-x, -ce, gentle, sweet.
douzaine,/., dozen.
douze, twelve.
dresser, to draw up.
droit, straight.
droit, m., right, duty; dans
votre — , within your rights.
droite,/, right hand.
drôle, funny.
durer, to last.
eau,/, water.
éboulement, m., landslide.
échange, m., exchange, échapper, to escape.
éclabousser, to splash.
éclairer, to enlighten.
éclater, to burst, fly out (at a
person) .
écouter, to hear, listen.
écraser, to crush. écrier (s'), to cry out, exclaim.
écrire, to write.
écriture,/, handwriting.
effet, m., fact, resuit, effrayer, to frighten.
effusion,/., effusion, égal, equal; c'est — , ail the
same; ça m'est — , I don't
care.
également, equally, too.
eh bien ! well !
élancer (s'), to rush, élever, to bring up, educate.
éloigner (s'), to go away.
embarras, m., embarrassment.
embrasser, to kiss, embrace.
empêcher, to prevent; cela
n'empêche pas que, never-
theless.
emphase,/, emphasis.
employé, m., employée, clerk.
emporter, to carry away; 1' — ,
to win.
empressement, m., eagerness.
emprunter, to borrow.
ému (from émouvoir), moved,
affected.
en, prep., in, into, for, from, by.
en, pron., of it, of them, of him,
of her, some, any.
enchaîner, to bind.
encore, again.
encrier, m., inkstand.
VOCABULARY
endroit, m., place, énergiquement, energetically.
enfant, m. andf., child.
enfermer, to shut up.
enfin, at last, in short, engager, to engage, begin.
engraisser (s'), to grow fat.
enlevez, take away, O. K.
ennemi, m., enemy.
ennuyer, to tire, enregistrer, to register, check.
enrhumer (s'), to catch cold.
ensemble, together.
ensevelir, to bury.
entendre, to hear, understand.
entier, entire.
entourer, to surround, entre, bctween, among.
entrée,/., entry, entrance.
entr 'ouvrir, to half open.
envahir, to invade.
envenimer, to irritate.
envers, towards.
envié,/., désire, envoi, m., sending.
envoyer, to send.
épanouir (s'), to bloom, ex-
pand.
épée,/., sword.
éperon, m., spur.
éplucher, to pick; — des fautes,
to pick holes.
épouser, to marry.
éprouver, to fcel, expérience, espérance , /. , expectation, hope.
espérer, to hope, expect.
espoir, m., hope.
esprit, m., spirit, intelligence,
wit. essayer, to try.
essuyer, to dry.
estimer, to value, estomac, m., stomach.
et, and.
étendre, to extend, stretch.
étoffe,/, cloth, stuff.
étonnant, astonishing.
étonner, to astonish.
étranger, strange, foreign.
étranger, m., stranger, foreigner.
étrangler, to strangle.
être, to be.
événement, m., event.
éviter, to avoid.
exact, exact, punctual.
exactement, punctually, exactly.
examiner, to examine.
exemple, m., example; par — , by no means ! what an idea !
exercice, m., exercise, performance.
explication,/, explanation.
expliquer, to explain.
exprès, on purpose.
fable,/, fable, story.
fâcher (se) , to get angry.
facilement, easily.
facteur, m., porter, baggageman.
factionnaire, m., sentry.
faiblesse,/, weakness.
faiblir, to weaken.
faire, to make, do; — faire, to hâve made; — observer, to call to the attention of; — passer, to send; — route, to travel; and see cas, part.
fait, m., fact, case; — d'armes, exploit.
falloir, to be necessary, must.
famille,/., family.'
fanfaronnade,/, boasting.
fantaisie, /., fancy, whim.
fatigant, tiring, tiresome.
fatuité,/, folly, conceit.
VOCABULARY
faute,/., crror.
fauteuil, m., armchair.
fau-x, -sse, false; — pas, slip.
favorable, favourable.
femme,/., wife, woman.
fenêtre,/., window.
fer, m., iron, sword.
fermer, to shut.
ferrailleur, m., swashbuckler,
professional duelist.
ferré, iron-shod.
feu, m., fire; — d'artifice, fire-
works.
feuilleter, to turn over the
leaves of.
fiacre, m., cab.
fi-er, -ère, proud.
fièrement, proudly.
figure,/., face, fille,/., daughter, girl.
fils, m., son.
fin, /., end; à la — , in any
case, finir, to finish, fixer, to settle.
flairer, to scent, discover.
flatter, to flatter, please.
flatteu-r, -se, flattering.
flèche,/., arrow, boit.
fleur,/., flower.
foi,/., faith; de la mauvaise — ,
crooked.
fois,/., time. fonction,/., duty.
fonctionnaire, m., officiai.
fond, m., bottom; au — , at
heart.
fonds, m., stock, business, force,/., force; — publique, the
police, former, to form.
fort (ad].), strong, clever.
fort (adv.) , quite, very.
fou, fol, folle, crazy.
foule,/., crowd.
fourrer (se), to intrude one's
self, frais, fraîche, fresh, wet.
frais, m. pi., expenses, costs.
franc, m., a franc.
franc, franche, free, frank.
français, French.
Français, m., a Frenchman.
frère, m., brother.
frimas, m., snow, eternal snows.
frissonner, to shudder.
froisser, to offend.
front, m., forehead.
frotter, to rub.
fumer, to smoke.
gabelon, m., robber, extor-
tioner.
gagner, to earn.
gaiement, gayly.
galanterie, /., love making.
gamboder, to gambol.
garantie,/., security, collatéral, garçon, m., boy, waiter, bache-
lor. garde, /., guard, attendant, garder, to keep.
gare,/., railway station, gâteau, m., cake.
gauche, left.
gêner, to inconvenience.
gens, m. and f. pi., people.
gentil, -le, nice.
gentilhomme, m., man of
birth.
gérant, m., manager, glace,/., ice.
glisser, to slip, gonfler, to swell.
gouffre, m., gulf, chasm.
gourmand, m., glutton.
goutte,/., drop.
VOCABULÂRY
grâce,/., grâce.
gradé, with officer's rank,
petty.
grammaire, /., grammar.
grand, great, tall; grand'
route, highway.
gras, -se, fat.
grave, serious, solemn.
gré, m., liking; savoir — ,
to be grateful to.
grincer, to grind one's teeth.
grippe, /., dislike; prendre
quelqu'un en — , to take a
dislike to.
grog, m., grog; — au kirsch,
cherry brandy, guère, little ; ne . . . — ,
hardly.
guéridon, m., centre table, guérir, to cure, guérison,/., cure.
guerre,/., war.
guichet, m., ticket- window,
wicket.
guide, m., guide.
habit, m., clothes, dress, coat.
habiter, to live in.
habitude,/., habit.
harceler, to tonnent.
hasard, m., chance.
hâte,/., haste.
haut, high, loud; aloud.
haut, m., height.
hautement, loudly.
hauteur,/., haughtiness.
hein, eh ?
heure, /., hour, o'clock; à T — , on time; à la bonne — , that's right; de bonne — , eariy; tout à 1' — , prosently.
heureusement, fortunately.
heureu-x, -se, happy, lucky.
heurter, to jostle.
hier, yesterday.
histoire, /., history, story;
que d'histoires ! what a
fuss!
hiver, m., winter.
holà, hello !
homme, m., man.
honnête, honest.
honneur, m., honour.
hôtel, m., hôtel, house.
huile,/, oil.
huissier, m., bailiff, constable.
huit, eight.
huitième, eighth.
ici, hère ; d' — là, until then ; par — , this way.
idée,/., idea.
ignorer, to be ignorant of.
ilicite, unlawful.
illustre, celebrated.
image,/., picture.
impatienter, to provoke.
importer, to concern; n'importe, no matter.
imposer (s'), to obtrude one's self.
imprévu, unforeseen.
imprimer, to print.
impuissant, powerless.
incliner (s'), to bow, give way.
indigne, unworthy.
informe, shapeless.
injure,/., insuit, injury.
inouï, unheard of.
inqui, -et, -ète, uneasy, restless.
inquiéter, to alarm; s' — , to be uneasy.
inscrire, to insert, inscribe.
insensé, mad.
VOCABULARY
insensé, ra., madman.
instamment, urgently.
instant, m., instant; à Y — même, at this very moment.
instrumenter, to serve a warrant; faire — , to let the law take its course.
interroger, to question.
interrompre, to interrupt.
intimement, intimately.
introduire, to introduce.
inutile, useless.
jamais, ever, never; ne — ,
never.
jambe,/., leg.
jardin, m., garden.
jeter, to throw.
jeune, young.
joie,/., joy.
joli, pretty.
jouer, to play.
jouir, to enjoy.
jour, m., day.
journée,/., day.
juillet, July.
jurer, to swear.
jusque, until; — là, till then.
juste, just, right; exactly.
kirsch, m., see grog.
là, there; là-bas, yonder; làdedans, in it, within.
laisser, to let, leave, allow.
langue, /., language.
las-se, tired.
lecture, /., reading.
ledit, the aforesaid.
lég-er, -ère, light.
lentement, slowly.
lettre, /., letter; — de change,
promissory note, lever (se) , to rise.
libre, free.
lien, m., tie, bond.
lier, to tie; lié, on friendly
terms.
lieu, in place; avoir — , to take
place, lieue,/., league.
lièvre, m., hare.
ligne,/., line.
lire, to read.
