He's tired of this, and irritated. There's work to be done, important work, urgent work, amongst the men who have devoted their hearts and their time to this, and here he is arguing at length with Grantaire about whether Grantaire is suited to do something he's never had the slightest interest in doing. Grantaire is loyal in his way, very well; it may serve anyone little, but it's true; all the same, he spends his time arguing against all belief and devotion, not bolstering it in others.

"You'd be a fine man to go to the Barrière du Maine," he scoffs. "You'd be capable of that!"