"I am glad to see you so comfortable," he said, looking at the table on which were the remains of a magnificent leg of mutton.
"The landlord!" cried Rodolphe. "Let us receive him with the honors due to his position!" and he commenced beating on his plate with his knife and fork.
Colline handed him a chair, and Marcel cried:
"Come, Schaunard! Pass us a clean glass. You are just in time," he continued to the landlord, "we were going to drink to your health. My friend there, Monsieur Colline, was saying some touching things about you. As you are present, he will begin over again, out of compliment to you. Do begin again, Colline."
"Excuse me, gentlemen," said the landlord, "I don't wish to trouble you, but—-" and he unfolded the paper which he had in his hand.
"What's the document?" asked Marcel.
The landlord, who had cast an inquisitive glance around the room, perceived some gold on the chimney piece.
"It is your receipt," he said hastily, "which I had the honor of sending you once already."
"My faithful memory recalls the circumstance," replied the artist. "It was on Friday, the eighth of the month, at a quarter past twelve."
"It is signed, you see, in due form," said the landlord, "and if it is agreeable to you—"