"And you will have to tell us your history, comrade Rodolph," added the Chourineur.
"Well, then, I'll begin."
"Fan-painter!" said Goualeuse, "what a very pretty trade!"
"And how much can you earn if you stick close to work?" inquired the Chourineur.
"I work by the piece," responded Rodolph; "my good days are worth three francs, sometimes four, in summer, when the days are long."
"And you are idle sometimes, you rascal?"
"Yes, as long as I have money, though I do not waste it. First, I pay ten sous for my night's lodging."
"Your pardon, monseigneur; you sleep, then, at ten sous, do you?" said the Chourineur, raising his hand to his cap.
The word monseigneur, spoken ironically by the Chourineur, caused an almost imperceptible smile on the lips of Rodolph, who replied, "Oh, I like to be clean and comfortable."
"Here's a peer of the realm for you! a man with mines of wealth!" exclaimed the Chourineur; "he pays ten sous for his bed!"