After coffee, which, like the roast, was in my honour, the aunt told her niece to take care not to awake me in the morning when she got up. She said she would not fail, but I begged her not to take too much trouble over me, as I was a very heavy sleeper.
In the afternoon I went to an armourer’s to buy a brace of pistols, and asked the man if he knew the tradesman with whom I was staying.
“We are cousins-german,” he replied.
“Is he rich?”
“Yes, in debts.”
“Why?”
“Because he is unfortunate, like most honest people.”
“How about his wife?”
“Her careful economy keeps him above water.”
“Do you know the niece?”