THE STORY: Doctor and Madame Malingear are perfectly satisfied with their pleasant, uneventful existence until they learn that their daughter, Emily, is seriously interested in Frederick Ratinois, a young man who has been an increasingly frequent caller. When confronted regarding his intentions, Frederick confesses his love for Emily and declares that his father is a retired businessman “of sufficient fortune.” The Malingears are pleased, but they are also concerned that Frederick’s family might find them lacking in social or financial standing. When they learn that Frederick’s parents plan to visit them incognito, the Malingears decide to “throw dust in their eyes” with abandon. And so they do—inenting lavish extravagances that, in truth, they cannot afford. Monsieur and Madame Ratinois respond in kind, and soon both families are near bankruptcy. Fortunately a kindly, level-headed uncle saves the day, bringing the lovers happily together at last.
A classic French farce, delightfully and cleverly rendered into English. Here the victims of the author’s wit are two middle-class Parisian families: one with a marriageable daughter; one with a love-smitten son; and both with a disastrous urge to impress the other as being more chic and affluent than they really are.
Included in the collection
90° in the Shade and Dust in Your Eyes.
