Motherhood to-day is on the lips of every penny-a-liner, every social patchworker and political climber. It is so much prated about that one is led to believe that motherhood, in its present condition, is a force for good. It therefore required a free spirit combined with great dramatic power to tear the mask off the lying face of motherhood, that we may see that, whatever its possibilities in a free future, motherhood is to-day a sickly tree setting forth diseased branches. For its sake thousands of women are being sacrificed and children sent into a cold and barren world without the slightest provision for their physical and mental needs. It was left to Brieux to inscribe with letters of fire the crying shame of the motherhood of to-day. _Brignac_, a provincial lawyer and an unscrupulous climber for political success, represents the typical pillar of society. He believes implicitly in the supremacy of God over the destiny of man. He swears by the State and the army, and cringes before the power of money. Naturally he is the champion of large families as essential to the welfare of society, and of motherhood, as the most sacred and sole function of woman. He is the father of three children, all of whom are in a precarious condition. He resents the idea that society ought to take care of the children already in existence, rather than continue indiscriminately breeding more. _Brignac_ himself wants more children. In vain his wife _Lucie_, weakened by repeated pregnancies, pleads with him for a respite. _Lucie._ Listen, Julien, since we are talking about this, I wanted to tell you--I haven't had much leisure since our marriage. We have not been able to take advantage of a single one of your holidays. I really have a right to a little rest.... Consider, we have not had any time to know one another, or to love one another. Besides, remember that we already have to find dowries for three girls. _Brignac._ I tell you this is going to be a boy. _Lucie._ A boy is expensive. _Brignac._ We are going to be rich! _Lucie._ How? _Brignac._ Luck may come in several ways. I may stay in the civil service and get promoted quickly. I may go back to the bar.... I am certain we shall be rich. After all, it's not much good your saying so, if I say yes. _Lucie._ Evidently. My consent was asked for before I was given a husband, but my consent is not asked for before I am given a child.... This is slavery--yes, _slavery_. After all you are disposing of my health, my sufferings, my life--of a year of my existence, calmly, without consulting me. _Brignac._ Do I do it out of selfishness? Do you suppose I am not a most unhappy husband all the time I have a future mother at my side instead of a loving wife?... A father is a man all the same.