MADAME VAGRET. Look at us! There's your father. Procurator of the Republic--Public Prosecutor--State Attorney; in a court of the third class, it's true, because he's not a wire-puller, because he hasn't played the political game. And yet he's a valuable man--no one can deny that. Since he's been District Attorney he has secured three sentences of penal servitude for life! And in a country like this, where crimes are so frightfully rare! That's pretty good, don't you think? Of course, I know he'll have had three acquittals in the session that ends to-day. Granted. But that was mere bad luck. And for protecting society as he does--what do they pay him? Have you any idea? BERTHA. Yes, I know; you've often told me, mother. MADAME VAGRET. And I'll tell you again. Counting the stoppages for the pension, he gets altogether, and for everything, three hundred and ninety-five francs and eighty-three centimes a month. And then we are obliged to give a dinner for nine persons in honor of the President of Assizes, a Councillor! Well, at all events, I suppose everything is ready? Let's see. My _Revue des Deux Mondes_--is it there? Yes. And my armchair--is that in the right place? [_She sits in it_] Yes. [_As though receiving a guest_] Pray be seated, Monsieur le President. I hope that's right. And Monsieur Dufour, who was an ordinary magistrate when your father was the same, when we were living at Castelnaudery, he's now President of the second class at Douai, and he was only at Brest before he was promoted! BERTHA. Really! MADAME VAGRET [_searching for a book on the over-mantel_] Look in the Year Book. BERTHA. I'll take your word for it. MADAME VAGRET. You may! The Judicial Year Book. I know it by heart! BERTHA. But then father may be appointed Councillor any day now. MADAME VAGRET. He's been waiting a long time for his appointment as Councillor. BERTHA. But it's as good as settled now. He was promised the first vacancy, and Monsieur Lefevre has just died. MADAME VAGRET. I hope to God you are right. If we fail this time, we're done for. We shall be left at Mauleon until he's pensioned off. What a misfortune it is that they can't put their hands on that wretched murderer! Such a beautiful crime too! We really had some reason for hoping for a death sentence this time! The first, remember! BERTHA. Don't worry, motherkins. There's still a chance.