As they approached the wings a roar of applause met them coming from the audience. It was applause and something else; applause on an unusual note. As it faded away they heard the voice of Scaramouche ringing clear as a bell:
“And so you see, my dear M. Leandre, that when you speak of the Third Estate, it is necessary to be more explicit. What precisely is the Third Estate?”
“Nothing,” said Leandre.
There was a gasp from the audience, audible in the wings, and then swiftly followed Scaramouche’s next question:
“True. Alas! But what should it be?”
“Everything,” said Leandre.
The audience roared its acclamations, the more violent because of the unexpectedness of that reply.
“True again,” said Scaramouche. “And what is more, that is what it will be; that is what it already is. Do you doubt it?”
“I hope it,” said the schooled Leandre.
“You may believe it,” said Scaramouche, and again the acclamations rolled into thunder.