BRIGNAC. Well, take me. Do I look healthy? Fit?
HOURTIN. I don’t judge people by their looks.
BRIGNAC. Well, then, I am fit. Ask my wife if I’ve ever been ill. That’s the result of following my father’s example. Never once ill at thirtyfive. Only, only—mark my words—I drink nothing but good wine. You must admit I’m right, for I’ve never been—I won’t say drunk, but even ordinarily elevated. No, never. Isn’t that so, Lucie? I’ll hold my own with anyone. I’ve often won bets about it.
LUCIE. But you know you sometimes have fits of passion.
BRIGNAC. That has nothing to do with it. That’s my temperament. I’m built nervously.
HOURTIN. Never having been drunk proves nothing.
BRIGNAC. Oh, come!
HOURTIN. No. There are a large number of men who drink, perhaps, a glass of vermouth before lunch, a bottle of wine at lunch, and two or three glasses of liqueur after. The same at dinner, after an absinthe and a glass or two of beer in the afternoon. They would be much astonished to learn that they are thoroughly alcoholized.
BRIGNAC. Well, I do all that, and I’m as well as can be. What is more, as a baby I was very delicate. I couldn’t walk till I was eighteen months old or talk before two years. And I’m from the south. Ha, ha! You’ll say I’m making up for lost time?
HOURTIN [laughing] I shan’t try to convince you. Time will do that.