Be frank, what are your real opinions ?" Pascal looked at his mother with naive astonishment, then with a smile replied: "My real opinions?
I don't quite know--I am accused of being a Republican, did you say?
Very well! I don't feel at all offended.

I am undoubtedly a Republican, if you understand by that word a man who wishes the welfare of everybody." "But you will never attain to any position," Felicite quickly interrupted.

"You will be crushed.

Look at your brothers, they are trying to make their way." Pascal then comprehended that he was not called upon to defend his philosophic egotism.

His mother simply accused him of not speculating on the political situation.