o won't let them arrest him!
[_Another sigh_] What's the time?

BERTHA. It has just struck six.

MADAME VAGRET. Write out the _menus_. Don't forget. You must write only
their titles--his Honor the President of Assizes, his Honor the
President of the High Court of Mauleon, and so forth. It's the preamble
to the _menu_. Don't forget. Here is your father. Go and take a look
round the kitchen and appear as if you were busy. [_Bertha leaves the
room. Vagret enters in evening dress_]

SCENE II:--_Vagret, Madame Vagret._

MADAME VAGRET. Hasn't the Court risen yet?

VAGRET. When I left my substitute was just getting up to ask for the
adjournment.

MADAME VAGRET. Nothing new?

VAGRET. About the murder? Nothing.

MADAME VAGRET. But your Monsieur Delorme--the examining magistrate--is
he really looking for the murderer?

VAGRET. He's doing what he can.

MADAME VAGRET. Well, if I were in his place, it seems to me--Oh, they
ought to have women for examining magistrates! [_Distractedly_] Is there
nothing in the _Official Gazette_?

VAGRET [_dispirited and anxious_] Yes.

MADAME VAGRET. And you never told me. Anything that affects us?

VAGRET. No. Nanteuil has been appointed Advocate-General.

MADAME VAGRET. Nanteuil?

VAGRET. Yes.

MADAME VAGRET. Oh, that's too bad! Why, he was only an assistant at
Luneville when you were substitute there!

VAGRET. Yes. But he has a cousin who's a deputy. You can't compete with
men like that. [_A pause. Madame Vagret sits down and begins to cry_]

MADAME VAGRET. We haven't a chance.

VAGRET. My dearest! Come, come, you are wrong there.

MADAME VAGRET [_still tearful_] My poor darling! I know very well it
isn't your fault; you do your best. Your only failing is that you are
too scrupulous, and I am not the one to reproach you for that. But what
can you expect? It's no use talking; everybody gets ahead of us. Soon
you'll be the oldest District Attorney in France.

VAGRET. Come, come! Where's the Year Book?

MADAME VAGRET [_still in the same tone_] It's there--the dates, the
length of service. See further on, dear.

VAGRET [_throwing the Year Book aside_] Don't cry like that! Remember
I'm chosen to succeed Lefevre.

MADAME VAGRET. I know that.

VAGRET. I'm on the list for promotion.

MADAME VAGRET. So is everybody.

VAGRET. And I have the Attorney-General's definite promise--and the
presiding judge's too.

MADAME VAGRET. It's the deputy's promise you ought to have.