BRIGNAC [to the three mayors] You have heard, messieurs les maires: commerce and the army require the increase of the population, and the Government commands you, therefore, to further this end to the best of your ability, each one of you in his own commune.
The three mayors seem annoyed. They look at one another.
PIERRE [nervelessly] All right, M. le sous-préfet.
LAUR [in the same tone] I’ll mention it.
JACQUES [the same] I’ll think it over.
BRIGNAC. Oh, but gentlemen, I want something more definite than that. I am a man of action: I am not to be put off with words. ‘Acta non verba.’ May I depend on you to set to work?
LAUR. You see, M. le sous-préfet, this’ll take a bit of thinking over.
JACQUES. Don’t be in a hurry.
BRIGNAC. We must be men of action. M. Pierre Poiret, now is your chance, won’t you give them a lead?
PIERRE. Me—M. le sous-préfet?