—I heard you speak of five, once.
—Yes; but as I have other reforms in view, I must move with prudence, to avoid a deficit in the revenues.
—Prudence? This leaves you with a deficit of thirty millions.
—Then I will reduce the salt tax to ten francs.
—Good! Here is another deficit of thirty millions. Doubtless you have invented some new tax.
—Heaven forbid! Besides, I do not flatter myself that I have an inventive mind.
—It is necessary, however. Oh, I have it. What was I thinking of? You are simply going to diminish the expense. I did not think of that.
—You are not the only one. I shall come to that; but I do not count on it at present.
—What! you diminish the receipts, without lessening expenses, and you avoid a deficit?
—Yes, by diminishing other taxes at the same time.