Jean Oullier was afraid of appearing afraid.
"Come," said he, "enough of this. If you want to sell yourself apply to others. Such bargains are hateful to me, even if I had any means of making them. They don't concern me, God be thanked."
"Is that your last word, Jean Oullier?"
"My first and my last. Go your ways, Maître Courtin, and leave me to mine."
"So much the worse for you," said Courtin, rising; "but, on my word, I would gladly have gone your way."
So saying, he nodded to Jean Oullier and went out. He had hardly crossed the threshold before Aubin Courte-Joie, stumping along on his wooden legs, came close to Jean Oullier.
"You have done a foolish thing," he whispered.
"What ought I to have done?"
"Taken him to Louis Renaud or to Gaspard; they would have bought him."
"Him,--that wicked traitor?"