Repartee

"The Vet" is an epithet which is often hurled at M. Pierre Renaudel in the Chamber of Deputies. Indeed, before he entered politics and became a leader of the Socialists, he qualified for a veterinary surgeon, but never practiced.

Struck with M. Renaudel's complete indifference to what appeared from its tone an insult, a young millionaire Deputy of the Right asked: "Are you really a veterinary surgeon?" "Why do you ask?" queried Renaudel innocently, "Are you ill?"