"Yes, and as if we had never before seen or heard of each other."
"Exactly."
"Good! Now, what are you doing for a living, Fouchette?"
"Nothing."
"Good! So am I."
They laughed quite a great deal at this remarkable coincidence as they went along. And when Mlle. Fouchette protested that she must do something,—sewing, or something,—Mlle. Madeleine laughed yet more loudly, though Mlle. Fouchette saw nothing humorous in the situation.
"Nobody works in the Quartier Latin," said Madeleine. "C'est la vie joyeuse."
"But one must eat, mademoiselle——"
"Very sure! Yes, and drink; but——"
Mlle. Madeleine scrutinized her companion closely,—evidently Mlle. Fouchette was in earnest. Such naïveté in a ragpicker was absurd, preposterous!