“It is I, Monsieur,” answered the awkward Firmin, as he entered.
“What do you want? Didn’t they tell you I was engaged and did not wish to be disturbed?”
“But important business brings me.”
“Well, well, speak quickly.”
“I wish to ask Monsieur my rights.”
“In what respect?”
“Monsieur knows of the stampede. Well, I had just bought a pair of oxen from Carassol, who lives at Bocasse, but they had not been surrendered to me when the stampede commenced.”
“Well?”
“Well, they did like all the rest. They ran away.”
“Ah! And Carassol claims that the transaction was concluded in good faith and that he is not responsible for the oxen?”