"Have you not sold the field, then?" inquired Gourville in astonishment, for he knew the poet's disinterestedness.
"My wife would not let me," replied the latter, at which there were fresh bursts of laughter.
"And yet you went to Chateau-Thierry for that purpose," said some one.
"Certainly I did, and on horseback."
"Poor fellow!"
"I had eight different horses, and I was almost jolted to death."
"You are an excellent fellow! And you rested yourself when you arrived there!"
"Rested! Oh! of course I did, for I had an immense deal of work to do."
"How so?"
"My wife had been flirting with the man to whom I wished to sell the land. The fellow drew back from his bargain, and so I challenged him."