"It must have been five or six hours, monsieur; I was horribly bored. Monsieur Emile seemed far from glad to see me; and as for the girl, she's a downright prude. It was fearfully hot on that mountain, and I couldn't say two words without being interrupted by that peasant."
"I can imagine it, for you don't say two words in succession this morning, Galuchet; what peasant do you mean?"
"That carpenter, Jappeloup, a miserable fellow, an animal who presumes to be familiar with everybody, and who speaks of monsieur as Père Cardonnet, as if he were speaking of his equal."
"That doesn't trouble me; but what did my son say to him?"
"Monsieur Emile laughed at his nonsense and Mademoiselle Gilberte thinks he is charming."
"Did you notice any asides between her and my son?"
"No, monsieur, not exactly. The old woman—who is certainly her mother, for she calls her my girl—hardly ever leaves her, and it can't be very easy to pay court to her, especially as she is very high and mighty, and puts on the airs of a princess. That's very becoming in her, on my word, with the dress she wears and not a sou! If they should offer her to me, I wouldn't have her!"
"No matter, Galuchet; you must pay court to her."
"To laugh at her, when the time comes—I agree to that!"
"And also to earn a reward, which you will not get unless you bring me a clearer and more circumstantial report next time; for you are all astray to-day."