"Console me, my good friend," he said, "I am a ruined man."
"My dear fellow, don't look so glum as that, things are never so bad that they can't be worse. Come along, cheer up, I have promised to stick to you and help you, and I mean to do it. Here, have a glass of wine with me, and we will see what is the best thing to do now."
"It's all up with me, my friend, you can't help me, I am done for."
"Pray don't say that. Everything is for the best."
"Because everything is for the best, it does not follow that everything is for my best," said Payot gloomily.
"My dear sir, don't be down in the dumps. You remember the adage,
'For every evil under the sun
There's a remedy or there's none.
If there is one try and find it,
If there isn't——never mind it.'
"Cheer up, old man. Don't you remember the saying of Jean Paul Richter 'Sorrow is often sent for our benefit, just as we darken the cages of the birds in order to teach them to sing.'"
Payot heaved a sigh and said nothing.