"Ah, books, books, books!" said Pierre Lamont. "What would the world do without them? How did it ever do without them? But I am old, and I am talking to a young man."
"My father was a bookworm and a student," said Almer. "Were he alive, he would be disappointed that I do not tread in his footsteps."
"Perhaps not. He was a wise man, with a comprehensive mind. It would not do for us all to be monks."
CHAPTER XVII
[FRITZ THE FOOL RELATES A STRANGE DREAM TO PIERRE LAMONT]
Half-a-dozen times in the course of the day Pierre Lamont had sent in search of Fritz the Fool, and it was not till the afternoon that Fritz made his appearance.
"You should have come earlier, fool," said Pierre Lamont with a frown.
"I was better engaged," said Fritz coolly. "You fired me with those love-verses last night, and I have been studying what to say to my peach."
"The pretty Dionetta! Rehearse, then; I am dull."
"Ah, I have much to tell you. I am thinking of saying to the peach, 'Dionetta, place your hand in mine, and we will both serve Pierre Lamont. He will give us a home; he will pay us liberally; and when he dies he will not leave us unprovided for.'"