<p>The scene takes place in the countryside not far from Paris. A wealthy horticulturist, Labouture (literally, The-Cutting), died without writing a will. The Gratin family, distant relatives, claim to be the rightful heirs. After moving in the property, they welcome the notary Dussiflet (literally, Of-the-Whistle), and his nephew Onésime, in charge of the inheritance. Madame Gratin and Dussiflet consider [corriger faute FR] marrying Onésime and Flore, the Gratins’ daughter. When Flore meets Onésime, he is immediately in awe of her beauty, but she thinks that he is neither attractive nor intelligent. Meanwhile, Monsieur Gratin is bathing; when he wants to get out, he cannot find his clothes. Freezing cold, he calls for help. Ledru (literally, The-Thick), Labouture’s godson, enters the house and rescues M. Gratin, mistaking him for Labouture. Jean, the servant, discovers a letter that Ledru had sent to Labouture. Meanwhile, Ledru meets Flore and expresses the wish to marry her. Jean takes advantage of a private moment with Ledru to convince him to chase Gratin out of the house. Ledru writes a fake will in which Labouture states that Ledru is his secret son, and that he splits his goods between Ledru, Jean, and Flore. Madame Gratin inherits a bundle of thorns, and Monsieur Gratin is given the boot that Labouture kicked him with. In the end, the Gratins agree to the wedding of Ledru and Flore.</p>

Glove-puppet

Maurice Sand (Maurice Sand)

France

Nohant

Printed

Servant

Family

Last will and testament

Marrying for money

Inheritance

Comical

Satirical

Burlesque

French

Fatale baignoire

Merchant (man)

Husband

Notary

Gardener

Sergeant

Nephew

Wife

Daughter

Monologue

Aside

Misunderstanding

Situation comedy

Letter

Reading of a will

Plot twist

Funeste oubli

Macabre omission