(_A waiter approaches briskly, to prepare the table and begins to
serve. _SCHAUNARD_ and _COLLINE_ furtively watch _MUSETTA_. _MARCEL_
feigns the greatest indifference. _RUDOLPH_ devotes all his attention
to _MIMI_._)

SCH. (_at the sight of the old gentleman with his decorations_)
He's had a pretty good dose, I reckon.

COL. (_scrutinizing _ALCINDORO) The naughty, naughty elder!

MAR. (_contemptuously_) With his good young Susanna.

MIMI. (_to _RUDOLPH) And her clothes are smart, too!

RUD. The angels can't afford them.

(_A piquet of the National Guard passes across the square; some
shop-keepers go home; at the corner of the street the chestnut-seller
does a thriving trade; the old clothes dealer fills her barrel with
clothes, and goes away with it over her shoulder._)

MUS. (_disconcerted at not being noticed by her friends_)
Marcel can see me,
But he won't look, the villain!
And Schaunard!
They provoke me past bearing!
Ah! could I but beat them!
If I could, I would scratch!
But I only have to back me
This old pelican!