"Seriously, I believe that the governor is sick."
"For ten days past, he is scarcely to be recognized. His cheeks are so hollow, that you might thrust in your fist."
"And he is so absent-minded, that it is curious to see him. The other day he took off his glasses to read a deed; his eyes were red as live coals."
"He was right; short reckonings make long friends."
"For heaven's sake, don't cut me with your saws. I tell you, gentlemen, that it is very singular. It was upside down."
"Which was upside down?—the deed or the governor? It is singular, as you say. What the devil was he doing in that position? I should think it would have given him the apoplexy, unless his habits, as you say, have changed very suddenly."
"How wearisome you are, Chalamel! I mean that it was the deed which I presented wrong end foremost."
"How wild he must have been!"
"Not at all; he didn't even perceive it. He looked at it for ten minutes, with his bloodshot eyes fixed upon it, and then he gave it back to me, saying: 'Quite correct.'"
"Still upside down?"