"Oh, what nonsense!"
"Quite true."
"What! the governor snivel? No, I won't have that."
"When that's the case why cockchafers will play the cornet-à-piston."
"And cocks and hens wear top-boots."
"Ta, ta, ta, ta; all your folly will not prevent my having seen what I did see as plain as I see you."
"Weeping?"
"Yes, weeping. And he was in such a precious rage at being surprised in this lachrymose mood that he adjusted his spectacles in great haste, and said to me, 'Get out—get out!' 'But, sir—' 'Get out!' 'Three clients are waiting to whom you have given appointments, and—' 'I have not time; let them go to the devil along with you!' Then he got up in a desperate rage to turn me out, but I didn't wait, but went and dismissed the clients, who were not by any means satisfied; but, for the honour of the office, I told them that the governor had the whooping-cough."
This interesting conversation was interrupted by the head clerk, who entered apparently quite overcome. His arrival was hailed by general acclamation, and all eyes were sympathetically turned towards the turkey with impatient anxiety.
"Without saying a word, seigneur, you have kept us waiting an infernally long while," said Chalamel.