PIERRE. Yes, it’s always the same. In my commune—
BRIGNAC [interrupting] But I assure you—
PIERRE. In my commune they’re always joking about me. They say ‘Hey, Pierre Poiret, there’s a prize for the twelfth!’ Or they say ‘Pierre Poiret’—and there isn’t a single day they don’t say it, and everyone thinks it’s funny, and they split with laughing—they say ‘Pierre Poiret’—only—hum—not before the ladies. [Jacques Poiret is holding his sides] Just look at that fool! I’m sure he brought the talk round to that a’ purpose.
BRIGNAC. No, no.
PIERRE. I bet you he did. Whenever we’re in company it’s the same thing. I won’t go about with him any more.
BRIGNAC. But your position is most honorable.
PIERRE. And the worst of it is that he’s right. I call myself a fool myself when I’m alone. [Jacques Poiret goes on laughing] Look at him—grinning—look!—because he’s only got two. [To his brother] You puppy!
COL [to Pierre Poiret] You deserve the greatest credit, M. Pierre Poiret.
BRIGNAC. You do.
CHEV. You do, indeed, monsieur.