BRIGNAC. In former times people troubled less about the future. They had faith, and remembered the words of the Scriptures, ‘Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’ LUCIE. And yet there are little children going about in rags. SOUS-IN. God must be less interested in them than in the lilies of the field. COL [_to Jacques Poiret_] But, monsieur, you need hands, too, in harvest-time. JACQUES. I have a cutting-and-binding machine. It does the work of twelve men, and only cost a thousand francs. A child costs more. CHEV. We must have workmen to make machines. JACQUES. We buy the machines ready-made in America much cheaper than we can make them in France. CHEV. If there were a greater number of workmen we might cut down wages and produce at lower prices. JACQUES. Cut down wages! The workmen are complaining already that they can’t live on their wages. CHEV. Bah! give them twenty francs a day, and they’ll still complain. SOUS-IN. You have not tried that yet. COL. My dear fellow, remember that, as a bachelor, you are out of this discussion. SOUS-IN. I withdraw. CHEV. I didn’t mean that for you, Laurent. [_To the Colonel_] M. Laurent, the mayor of Ste. Geneviève, was formerly a workman of mine, but he came into a little money, and went back to his native place. [_To Laurent_] No—I didn’t mean it for you; but they’re not all like you, you know. BRIGNAC [_to Laurent_] So you refuse to form an association too? LAUR. Refuse, M. le sous-préfet? No. BRIGNAC. At last! Here’s a mayor who understands his duties. He’ll start the thing among his people, and before long we shall have the commune of Ste. Geneviève setting an example to the whole of France. LAUR. Don’t get that into your head, monsieur; you’ll be disappointed. BRIGNAC. No, no. LAUR. Whether you form your association or don’t form your association, the people at home are too sensible to have more children than they’ve cradles for. They know too well they must put a bit by. BRIGNAC. If you think that an association will make no difference why do you agree to form one? LAUR. Because I want you to get me what you promised me. BRIGNAC. What was that? LAUR. You know. BRIGNAC. No, I don’t. _Laurent touches his buttonhole._ BRIGNAC [_angrily_] Is that what we’ve come to? We were speaking of the good of the community. CHEV [_the same_] It’s most discouraging. We point out to you that the trade of the country is in danger. BRIGNAC. And you only think of yourself. CHEV. You only think of yourself. BRIGNAC. What a want of public spirit! CHEV. Bad citizenship!