"Oh well! so be it: and the condition?"
"That is it."
"Will you tell me of what use it is to you?"
"To hold the plants which I pick."
"And why do you search for plants? To sell them?"
"Nonsense! I am not a merchant, I am a savant."
He held out his hand to me and said with visible joy: "I am charmed. Science is a beautiful thing. Our ancestors were wise men. Our grandchildren will be, perhaps. As for us, time is lacking. Savants are much esteemed in your country?"
"Greatly."
"One gives them rank?"
"Sometimes."