"So young and so wicked, François?"
"Tortillard is much younger, and he would be quite as wicked as he, if he were strong enough."
"Oh, yes, he's very, very wicked! The other day he beat me, because I would not play with him."
"He beat you, did he? Then, the first time he comes—"
"No, no, François; it was only in jest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, quite sure."
"Very well, then, for, if not—But I don't know how he manages, the scamp! But he always has so much money. He's so lucky! When he came here with the Chouette, he showed us pieces of gold of twenty francs; and didn't he look knowing as he said, 'Oh, you might have the same, if you were not such little muffs!'"
"Muffs?"
"Yes; in slang that means fools, simpletons."