"I have come to dine with you without ceremony to-day, my friends," this Satan would say.
"My God, M. Pascal! how sorry we are! To-day is my mother's birthday, and you see we are just getting ready to go to dine with her. It is an anniversary we never fail to celebrate."
"Ah! that is very provoking, as I hoped to spend my evening with you."
"And do you think it is less annoying to us, dear M. Pascal?"
"Bah! you could very easily give up a family reunion for me. After all, your mother would not die if you were not there."
"Oh, my dear M. Pascal, that is impossible! It would be the first time since our marriage that we failed in this little family ceremony."
"Come, you surely will do that for me."
"But, M. Pascal—"
"I tell you, you will do that for your good M. Pascal, will you not?"
"We would like to do it with all our heart, but—"