"And you never went out of it?"
"Never."
"That," observed M. de Morin, as he got between the sheets, "will hardly give you a very comprehensive idea of the country which I am about to visit. So I advise you to reflect a little, and to gather some further information before persisting in your request that I should take you with me. Algiers is a town where one goes to recover one's health, whereas you lose it, as a rule, even if you are lucky enough to preserve your life, in that part of Africa which I propose to traverse."
"That is a matter of no importance, sir," said Joseph, as he tucked his master in. "Africa tempts me, and I take the liberty of repeating my request."
"All right, then. I will see about it, and mention your request to my companions. What increase in wages do you ask if you go with me?"
"None at all, sir. The pleasure of travelling with you, sir, is sufficient. I merely take the liberty of mentioning three wishes."
"Out with them, then, because I am going to sleep."
"The first," replied Joseph, once more at attention in front of his master's bed, "is to secure a small annuity for my family, in case I should die during the expedition."
"That appears to me reasonable enough. Now for the second, for I am half-asleep as it is."
"The second consists of being allowed, on setting foot in Africa, to wear a bûrnus."