“What did the grocer say to that, eh?” demanded the card-sharper.
“Master Grocer says: ‘I don’t know whether he is a gentleman or not, but his name is Beausire,’ ‘Does he live by here?’ went on the gentleman. ‘Top-floor, next house on the left.’ ‘Give anything the young master wants to him—I will foot the bill,’ said the gentleman. Then he gave me the money saying: ‘There a louis for you, young sir: when you have eaten your candy, that will buy you more. He put the money in my hand; the grocer stuck this bag under my arm and I came away awfully glad. Oh, where is my money-piece?”
Not having seen Beausire’s disappearing trick, he began to look all round for the louis.
“You clumsy little blockhead, you have lost it,” said the captain.
“No, I never!” yelled the child.
The dispute would have become warm but for the interruption which came to put an end to it.
The door opened slowly and a bland voice made these words audible:
“How do you do, Mistress Nicole? good evening, Captain Beausire! How are you, little Toussaint?”
All turned: on the threshold was an elegantly attired man, smiling on the family group.
“Oh, here’s the gentleman who gave me the candy,” cried young Toussaint.