“Oh! Uncle Graff!”
“Come now, you are not so nice as that for nothing,” said the old bachelor, with a laugh. “What is it you want me to do for you now?”
“Nothing, upon my word, uncle. I am perfectly sincere in everything I have just said!”
“Then you are conducting yourself very well just now.”
Marcel raised his eyes, and said calmly—
“How could I do anything else here?”
“Ah! Do you think you could not find an opportunity if you wanted? I really believe that if you were thrown on to a desert island you would find means to fall in love and get into debt, even there!”
“But who would pay them if my Uncle Graff were not at hand?”
“You are jesting with me, you rascal!”
“No, I am quite serious. I never leave my laboratory except for a walk in the woods; and I have not spent twenty-five francs since I came here.”