"Well, then," continued Rodolph, "four sous for tobacco; that makes fourteen sous; four sous for breakfast, eighteen; fifteen sous for dinner; one or two sous for brandy; that all comes to about thirty-four or thirty-five sous a day. I have no occasion to work all the week, and so the rest of the time I amuse myself."
"And your family?" said the Goualeuse.
"Dead," replied Rodolph.
"Who were your friends?" asked the Goualeuse.
"Dealers in old clothes and marine stores under the pillars of the market-place."
"How did you spend what they left you?" inquired the Chourineur.
"I was very young, and my guardian sold the stock; and, when I came of age, he brought me in his debtor for thirty francs; that was my inheritance."
"And who is now your employer?" the Chourineur demanded.
"His name is Gauthier, in the Rue des Bourdonnais, a beast—brute—thief—miser! He would almost as soon lose the sight of an eye as pay his workmen. Now this is as true a description as I can give you of him; so let's have done with him. I learned my trade under him from the time when I was fifteen years of age; I have a good number in the Conscription, and my name is Rodolph Durand. My history is told."
"Now it's your turn, Goualeuse," said the Chourineur; "I keep my history till last, as a bonne bouche."