CHEV. I beg your pardon—I—
LAUR. Is it true?
CHEV. It’s because of the Employers’ Liability Bill. Let me explain—[Laurent turns his back on him. He addresses himself to Brignac] Allow me to—[Brignac does not listen. To the sous-intendant] If I was allowed to explain you would understand. I’m perfectly consistent.
LAUR. Are we to do as you say, or are we to do as you do? If you believed what you say you’d act accordingly.
CHEV. But—
BRIGNAC. We shouldn’t indulge in these personalities. We must look higher. Lift up your hearts. Sursum corda. You have just heard, gentlemen, that commerce and the army protest against the decline of the population. And I, the representative of the Government of this country, tell you, in concert with commerce and the army, that there must be more births.
LAUR. And what’s the Government doing?
BRIGNAC. What is it doing!—well—and this circular?
SOUS-IN. We must be just. Besides this circular, the Government has appointed a Commission to enquire into the matter.
BRIGNAC. Various measures are being brought up.