Now it was the habitué who did not understand.
"Well," I went on, "shall I have a good place?"
"You can sit where you like."
"What! I can sit where I like?"
"Of course."
"How much did your place cost?"
"Twenty sous."
I reflected within myself that twenty sous to sit where I liked was not dear. I drew twenty sous from my pocket and gave them to the habitué, who immediately, with an agility that proved he was well accustomed to this exercise, climbed up the rails of the barrier, got over it and alighted by my side.
"Well," I said, "now where is your place?"
"Take it, ... but look sharp; for, if they push up, you will lose it."