HOCHE. Why shouldn't I? He is a son of Adam, like me. If I can give him some good advice, why shouldn't I? And why shouldn't he follow it? HULIN [_jokingly_]. And what have you to say to the King? HOCHE. I tell him to send his troops away from Paris, and to come himself to the city and start the revolution. [HULIN _laughs uproariously._ HOCHE _smiles._] Your reasons are excellent. Thank you for your advice, but that is not what I want. HULIN. What, then? HOCHE [_embarrassed_]. The--the style, you see. And the spelling--I'm not quite sure. HULIN. Do you imagine he is going to read it? HOCHE. That makes no difference. HULIN. I'll see to it, then. HOCHE. How fortunate you are to have an education! Work as I will now, I can never make up for lost time. HULIN. Are you really so simple as to think this letter will be read? HOCHE [_good-humoredly_]. To tell the truth, I don't think it will. And yet it would be very easy for all those fellows who run the government of Europe, to apply just a little common sense, ordinary everyday sense! So much the worse for them! If they don't, it will be done without them! HULIN. Instead of trying to reform the world, you'd do much better to get yourself out of the fix you're in now. You are going to be reported--perhaps you have been already. Do you know what will be waiting for you when you return to the barracks? HOCHE. Yes, but do you know what is waiting for the barracks when I return to them? HULIN. What? HOCHE. You'll see. HULIN. Now what are you plotting? Don't get excited. Don't you think there's enough disorder as it is? HOCHE. When order is injustice, disorder is the beginning of justice. HULIN. Justice! Justice consists in _not_ demanding of things what they cannot give. You can't make over the world; you must accept it as it is. Why demand the impossible? HOCHE. Poor Hulin, do you know everything that is impossible? HULIN. What do you mean? Let the people do merely what they can do, and you will see whether or not the world can be made over! HULIN [_his hand on_ HOCHE'S _shoulder_]. Ah, you are ambitious. You dream of dominating the people! HOCHE. You ignorant colossus! Fine ambition, that! Do you think I have the spirit of a corporal? [_He looks at his uniform_.] HULIN. Disgusted, eh? What's the matter with you? You seem very happy today. Are they going to make you a sergeant? HOCHE [_shrugging his shoulders_]. Happiness is in the air. HULIN. You're not hard to please. There is famine. Imminent massacre. Your people are about to be destroyed. And you, what are you going to do? You will have to march against those you love, or else be killed with your friends. HOCHE [_smiling_]. Very well, then. HULIN. You think it very well? The thunderbolt is above you; everything is ready to crumble.... Roll, thunder! Truth, burn the night!