“‘Ah! I know that fellow,—I have paid twenty sons to see him before now,’ cried one.
“‘So have I,’ said another; ‘and it’s rare fun to look at him cracking nuts, and swinging himself on the branch of a tree by his tail.’
“At this moment the door opened, and I slipped in without hearing farther of the commentaries of the crowd. In a little time the servant returned, and prepared the breakfast; and although, as you may suppose, I was very ignorant what was exactly the kind of entertainment to set before my guest, I got a great dish of apples and a plate of chestnuts, and down we sat to our meal.
“‘That was a ring at the door, I think,’ said he; and as he spoke, my husband entered the room.
“‘Ah! you here?’ cried he, addressing M. le Singe.
‘Parbleu! there’s a pretty work in Paris about you,—it is all over the city this morning that you are off.’
“‘And the Director?’ said the ape.
“‘The old bear, he is off too.’
“‘So, thought I to myself,—’ ‘it would appear the other beasts have made their escape too.’
“‘Then, I suppose,’ said the ape, ‘there will be no catching him.’