Emil, was that an interesting library which they have destroyed? I don't know. EMIL GRELIEU Yes, very. But what are you asking me, Jeanne? How can you speak? JEANNE Oh, I speak only of those books! Tell me, were there many books there? EMIL GRELIEU Yes, many, many! JEANNE And they've burned them? _She hums softly in afresh, strong voice._ "Only the halo of the arts crowns law, liberty, and the King!--Law--" EMIL GRELIEU Books, books. JEANNE And there was also a Cathedral there. Oh, I remember it! Isn't it true, Emil, that it was a beautiful structure? _Hums._ "Law, liberty, and the King--" PIERRE Father! What? EMIL GRELIEU _He walks up and down the room._ JEANNE Pierre, it will soon be time for you to leave. I'll give you something to eat at once. Pierre, do you think it is true that they are killing women and children? I don't know. PIERRE It is true, mother. EMIL GRELIEU How can you say it, Jeanne? You don't know? JEANNE I say this on account of the children. Yes, there they write that they are killing children, so they write there. And all this was crowded upon that little slip of paper--and the children, as well as the fire-- _Rises quickly and walks away, humming._ EMIL GRELIEU Where are you going, Jeanne? JEANNE Nowhere in particular. François, do you hear? They are murdering our women and children. François! François! _Without turning around, François walks out, his shoulders bent. All look after him. Jeanne goes to the other door with a strange half-smile._ PIERRE Mamma! JEANNE I will return directly. EMIL GRELIEU What shall I call them? What can I call them? My dear Pierre, my boy, what shall I call them? PIERRE You are greatly agitated, father. EMIL GRELIEU I have always thought, I have always been convinced that words were at my command, but here I stand before this monstrous, inexplicable--I don't know, I don't know what to call them. My heart is crying out, I hear its voice, but the word! Pierre, you are a student, you are young, your words are direct and pure--Pierre, find the word! PIERRE You want me to find it, father? Yes, I was a student, and I knew certain words: Peace, Right, Humanity. But now you see! My heart is crying too, but I do not know what to call these scoundrels. Scoundrels? That is not sufficient. _In despair._ Not sufficient. EMIL GRELIEU That is not strong enough. Pierre, I have decided-- PIERRE Decided? EMIL GRELIEU Yes, I am going. PIERRE You, father? EMIL GRELIEU I decided to do it several days ago--even then, at the very beginning. And I really don't know why I--. Oh, yes, I had to overcome within me--my love for flowers. _Ironically._ Yes, Pierre, my love for flowers. Oh, my boy, it is so hard to change from flowers to iron and blood! PIERRE Father, I dare not contradict you. EMIL GRELIEU No, no, you dare not. It is not necessary. Listen, Pierre, you must examine me as a physician. PIERRE I am only a student, father. EMIL GRELIEU