"No sir."
"Pupil, then?"
"No, sir, nor pupil either."
"What then? Out with it."
"As a servant, sir. I brushed the clothes, swept the room, lighted the fires, and whilst attending to these duties, I listened to the lectures of the Professors, read the exercise books of the pupils, and gained instruction."
"Then," continued de Morin, making frantic efforts to prevent himself from laughing in the face of his servant, "you know the meaning of the sentence you have quoted?"
"Certainly, sir," replied Joseph. "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes means, I fear the Greeks, especially, when they come with gifts in their hands."
"A perfect translation, but why did you let fly the quotation full in our faces in this unexpected fashion?"
"Sir," said Joseph, with a most serious air, "I consider that it has a local signification, for the Greeks, according to my idea, are represented by the Monbuttoos, and the word 'gifts' means food, provisions, meals. The quotation, therefore, stands as if I had said— 'I fear the Monbuttoos, and the meals with which they are providing us.'"
"And why this fear, Joseph?" asked de Morin. "Do you think that the food is poisoned? It is rather late in the day to tell us so."