“How much?” demanded the Madame.
“Five francs,” was the answer, “and very cheap it is. Observe, Madame, its size, and its condition. Oh, I have nothing but the best. Shall I put it into your basket?”
“No, it is too much!”
“Too much! Madame, you would starve me. Well, then, you are an old customer (she had never seen Madame before), I will give it to you—I would no one else—for four and a half. It is ruin, but I can’t keep them over.”
“I will give you two francs.”
“Two francs! You jest, Madame. Two francs for this king of lobsters—this emperor! Ah no! but I will say four—and little Jean shall go without shoes.”
“Two francs.”
“Say three and a half—my landlord can do without his rent till times are better.”
Precisely as the two franc offer was being accepted, a young man drove up in a stylish coupe.