BRIGNAC. Oh, indeed she does. Madame Brignac and I have three children, and we don’t mean to stop there: so my wife may qualify for that decoration some day. LUCIE [_to Chevillot_] As far as I can see, M. le maire, when children are born now society does not always make them welcome. BRIGNAC. I think, my dear, that you had better leave the discussion of this important question to the gentlemen. LUCIE. But surely it has some interest for us women! I hear everyone else consulted about it—political people and business people—but nobody ever thinks of consulting us. BRIGNAC. Far from not welcoming the children that are born, society— LUCIE [_to Brignac_] Stop! Do you remember what happened lately, not a hundred miles from here? I mean about the servant who was turned out into the street because she was going to have a baby. She will have to go to some hospital for her confinement. And after that what will happen to her and her child? BRIGNAC [_to the others_] Madame Brignac speaks of something which took place recently in a most respectable family. The incident has nothing whatever to do with the principles we are defending. It is clear that one cannot have a servant in that condition in a well-kept house. And there are higher considerations which will always prevent a respectable citizen from even appearing to condone immorality by sheltering it. One must not offer a premium to evil-doing. CHEV. Very true. LUCIE. And the unfortunate girl, who is very likely only the victim of another person, is condemned by everyone. BRIGNAC [_timidly_] No, no, I don’t say that. I myself am very liberal, and I confess that in—exceptional circumstances—one should be indulgent to her. LUCIE. Very well. Don’t forget you have said that. COL. Good night, madame. I must be going. Thank you for a charming evening. CHEV. I also, madame—charming. BRIGNAC [_pointing to the door into his office_] This way. As you go out I want to shew you a diagram I have had done, by which you can make yourself acquainted at a single glance with the political conditions of the division. There is an arrangement of pins—[_They hesitate_]. One minute. It will only take a minute. You can go out through the office. One minute—while you are putting on your coats. The coats are in there. I’m going out with you to a reception at the club. You’ll see—it’s rather curious. [_To Lucie, aside_] You come too. [_Aloud_] I think the idea is ingenious. _He talks them all off. When they are gone there is a short pause, and then Catherine opens the door at the back and steps forward._ CATHERINE [_to Annette, who has come into the anteroom_] Yes, mademoiselle, they are all gone. _Annette comes in. She takes off her hat and cloak and hands them to Catherine, who takes them into the anteroom and comes back to turn out the principal electric lights and to take away the tray. Annette, with fixed, staring eyes, sits rigidly upon the couch. Lucie comes in._