But the Professor did not waste too much time in idle converse.
“It is your turn now, Fabio,” said he.
Fabio, a little mite of seven, with eyes black and sparkling as those of a dormouse, had just seen Tantaine in the doorway and pointed him out to the professor.
Poluche turned quickly round and found himself face to face with Tantaine, who had come quickly forward, his hat in his hand.
Had the professor seen an apparition, he could not have started more violently, for he did not like strangers.
“What do you want?” asked he.
“Reassure yourself, sir,” said Tantaine, after having for a few seconds enjoyed his evident terror; “I am the intimate friend of the gentleman who employs you, and have come here to discuss an important matter of business with him.”
Poluche breathed more freely.
“Take a chair, sir,” said he, offering the only one in the room. “My master will soon be here.”
But Daddy Tantaine refused the offer, saying that he did not wish to intrude, but would wait until the lesson was over.