Roumestan felt piqued, he did not know exactly why, and replied hotly. In his opinion there were many other things that women preferred to youth in a man.
“They tell you that, of course.”
“I ask the opinion of these gentlemen.”
These gentlemen were all elderly, some so fat that their coats would hardly meet across their stomachs, some thin and dried up, bald or quite white, with defective teeth and ugly mouths, many of them in failing health—these Ministers and Under-secretaries of State all agreed with Numa. The discussion became very animated as the Parliamentary train rushed along with its noise of wheels and loud talk.
“Our Ministers are having a great row,” said the people in the neighboring compartments.
Several newspaper reporters tried to hear through the partitions what they were saying.
“The well-known man, the man in power!” thundered Numa, “that is what they like. To know that the man who is kneeling before them with his head on their knees is a great man, a powerful man, one who moves the world—that works them up!”
“Yes, indeed!”
“You are right, quite right.”
“I am of your opinion, my dear colleague.”