He hung up the bell and I started to go. He seized it and ran after me.

"Here, mister—fourtin franc—give me!"

"Five francs!—no more."

"No, no, mister—twelve franc—las' price—ver' las' price. Here, see!"

He jingled the bell a little. If he did that once more I was gone at any price.

"Five francs," I said, with heavy decision. "I'll give you five francs for it—no more."

I faced resolutely around—as resolutely as I could—and pretended really to start.

"Here, mister—ten franc—ten! Mister—mister!"

He followed me, but fortunately he had hung up the bell and couldn't jingle it. I was at least two steps away.

"Eight franc, mister—please—I lose money—I make nothing—mister—seven! seven franc!"