“No, to the workmen. I have no use for the cattle.”

“You made men drunk—sometimes?”

“It is possible.”

“Is it a good thing to make men drunk, to turn them into violent beasts, when there is work to be done?”

“I am not God, monsieur.”

“Perhaps that is a blessing!”

“Madame Latour also sells wine, but that is nothing, I suppose! If an angel makes men drunk!——”

“I will ask Beaucourt a question. Has the village been the worse for Madame Latour’s wine?”

A number of voices replied to him.

“Never, monsieur, never.”