PIERRE. And the worst of it is that he’s right. I call myself a fool myself when I’m alone. [_Jacques Poiret goes on laughing_] Look at him—grinning—look!—because he’s only got two. [_To his brother_] You puppy! COL [_to Pierre Poiret_] You deserve the greatest credit, M. Pierre Poiret. BRIGNAC. You do. CHEV. You do, indeed, monsieur. COL [_to Pierre Poiret_] In comparing your conduct with your brother’s all men of real worth will blame him and congratulate you, as I do, most sincerely. [_He shakes him by the hand_]. CHEV [_to Pierre Poiret_] Bravo, monsieur! You are helping us in our great work. [_He shakes him by the hand_]. JACQUES [_looking at his brother_] They _seem_ as if they meant it! BRIGNAC [_to Jacques Poiret_] You, monsieur, have chosen the easier and more agreeable life; don’t be surprised if we look upon your brother as the more meritorious, though you may be cleverer. PIERRE [_striking his thigh_] That’s the talk. [_To his brother_] Put that in your pipe, M. Jacques. JACQUES. All right. You are the most meritorious. Is that what you’re going to pay your baker with? PIERRE. Shut up! I’m the best citizen! I’m the most meritorious! JACQUES. H’m—yes. What does that bring you in? SOUS-IN. _I_ will tell you that, monsieur. It brings in to your brother, as the poet says, ‘The joy of duty done.’ JACQUES. H’m. _That_ won’t put butter on his bread. SOUS-IN. That is true. But one can’t have everything. PIERRE [_to Brignac, pointing to his brother_] He’s right, monsieur. For the once that I’ve been complimented, I’ve had to go through some bad times. BRIGNAC. You mustn’t think of that. PIERRE. Oh—mustn’t I? Go along! _He’s_ right. BRIGNAC. He’s not. PIERRE. Yes, he is. CHEV. and COL. No, no. PIERRE. Yes, he is. BRIGNAC. No. It’s possible that some people might think so now; but in ten years the tables will be turned. He may die lonely, while you will have a happy old age with your children and your grandchildren. PIERRE. Perhaps it was like that once; but nowadays as soon as the children can get along by themselves, off they go! CHEV. Even so they will send you help if you need it. JACQUES. They couldn’t help him, even if they wanted to. COL. Why not? JACQUES. Because as there were eight he couldn’t do anything for them, so they’ll only be struggling, hand-to-mouth creatures; not earning enough to keep themselves, much less help him. PIERRE. And he’s been able to bring up his well. He’s only one girl: he gave her a fortune and she made a fine marriage. He’s only one boy: he was able to send him to Grignon and he’ll earn big money like his father. No: it’s no use your talking. They’re right when they say ’Well, Poiret,’—h’m—not before the ladies. _He goes to the table, pours himself out a glass of cognac and drinks it._ COL. I regret to say we have become too far-seeing a nation. Everyone thinks of his own future: no one thinks of the good of the community.