Presently it was Monsieur le curé's turn.
"Jean Piot, do you ever give thought to your soul?"
"Why, of course, Monsieur le curé, I am a good Christian, I think of nothing else."
"Well, and what do you do to save your soul from the mighty blaze of hell? I never even see you at mass."
"That is no fault of mine, Monsieur le curé, I have to earn my living. You know very well that I go to the church door. On Sundays people are readier to give alms than on week days."
"You should not work on Sundays."
"No danger. I can't work any more. Begging is not work."
"Do you know what would be a good thing to do? You ought to have masses said, to redeem your sins."
"There's nothing I should like better. Will you say some for me?"
"Good. How much will you give me?"