BRIGNAC. We’re working at it. And what could be finer than to advance one’s own interests in the very act of defending one’s country? That is the best defence of it, to help in the production of the human race itself, for it means true morality within and the respect of other countries from without. MADELEINE. You didn’t forget that in your speech, I hope? BRIGNAC [_simply_] No, no; that was part of my peroration. All Frenchmen ought to do like old Féchain. LUCIE. Who’s he? BRIGNAC. Old Féchain—he was one of the audience. You’ll see him presently. He came to shake hands with me after the meeting. He has twelve children—magnificent! Magnificent, I repeat. I told him to come round here. MADELEINE. What for? BRIGNAC. I don’t know, he was so worked up, I wanted to show him a mark of my sympathy. He’ll tell you how it went off; you don’t believe me, Madeleine. MADELEINE. Indeed I do. BRIGNAC. I saw you smiling. Yes, he’ll tell you. [_Josephine brings a card in_] Dr. Hourtin? I know that name. LUCIE. Oh yes, I forgot. It’s Dr. Hourtin, the professor at Paris. MADELEINE. I’ll see him, and explain. LUCIE. Yes, do. [_Madeleine goes out_] It’s the doctor we wanted to consult about the children, you know. He happens to be at Chartres, and Madeleine met him at some friends’. _Madeleine returns with Dr. Hourtin. He is a man of thirtyfive, with short hair and a pointed beard._ HOURTIN [_to Madeleine, as they come in_] No apology is needed. MADELEINE [_introducing him_] My sister, Madame Brignac; Monsieur Brignac. Professor Hourtin. [_Greetings_]. HOURTIN. I hear that your babies are in the country. If you like, I could come in to see them tomorrow on my way back. But only after dinner, I fear—my train gets in late. LUCIE. Of course! We shall be extremely grateful. MADELEINE [_to Lucie_] I shall arrange to come as soon as possible to hear what the doctor says. BRIGNAC. Sit down, won’t you? I’m really delighted. [_Ringing_] Let me offer you a biscuit and a glass of Alicante. HOURTIN. No, thank you. BRIGNAC [_speaking first in an undertone to Josephine, who answers the bell_] Just for the sake of company! And so, here you are at Chartres—a stroke of luck for the town and for us. HOURTIN. I was going to see my brother at Châteaudun and thought that I would visit the town on the way. BRIGNAC. And see our famous cave—these prehistoric remains? HOURTIN. Anthropology interests me. BRIGNAC. A thoroughly genuine discovery, too. HOURTIN. Oh yes, there is no doubt. LUCIE. I saw a photograph of some of the remains. It was horrible. HOURTIN. Don’t say that! LUCIE. I dreamed of it all night. Were they really human beings? HOURTIN. The remains are undoubtedly those of a household of the stone age. The man’s skeleton is intact, the woman’s skull is fractured. LUCIE. Poor woman! By a falling rock? HOURTIN. Oh, no. The human fist of that date was well able to give such a blow. BRIGNAC. In fact, a little domestic difference?