"And what did you do?"
"Oh! I upset the table over her and her guests; and then I got upon my horse again, and here I am."
Every one had great difficulty in keeping his countenance at the exposure of his heroi-comedy, and when the laughter had somewhat ceased, one of the guests present said to him:
"Is that all you have brought us back?"
"Oh, no! I have an excellent idea in my head."
"What is it?"
"Have you noticed that there is a good deal of sportive, jesting poetry written in France?"
"Yes, of course," replied every one.
"And," pursued La Fontaine, "only a very small portion of it is printed."
"The laws are strict, you know."