He’s dreadfully worried. At first, he was quite bowled over. He simply refused to believe it. Then he was furious, wild, beside himself. But he calmed down after a bit: you see, he was always something of an optimist; and now he’s beginning to think that things will be settled very soon. But here he is.
(Enter the Burgomaster, carrying a basket filled with prize grapes.)
The Secretary
(Rising.) Good-morning, Mr. Burgomaster.
The Burgomaster
Good-morning, Pierre. How are you?
The Secretary
As well as can be, after working all night.
The Burgomaster
Is everything settled at the Town-hall?