“Why?” cried Toto, turning from a dispute about fifty centimes with the waiter.
“I have forgotten Dodor, and he has been waiting for his breakfast, and I—I have been thinking of other things.”
She rose with the rapidity and grace only given to us when the knees are young. She seemed as if she must spread out a pair of wings and fly at once to Dodor. So Toto relinquished his fifty centimes and accompanied her. He proposed that they should take a cab.
“Oh, no!” cried Célestin, “that would be far too extravagant. I think you are very extravagant, mons—Désiré; as for me, I have never been in a cab.”
“Never what?” said Toto.
“Never been in a cab. I always walk—sometimes I take the omnibus; but that is when it is wet, omnibuses are so expensive; but they are delightful. It is such fun seeing the people, and they are so friendly; I would like to spend all my life driving in omnibuses. Old gentlemen have often helped me out and walked home with me to see me safe.”
“Good gracious! what do they say to you?”
“Three old gentlemen have seen me home,” said Célestin. “And——”
“Three all together?”
“Oh, no! at different times; and one had a red rosette in his buttonhole.”