Bixiou. “Well, young Poiret junior, you see,—all these gentlemen understand me.”
Poiret [crest-fallen]. “Monsieur Bixiou, would you do me the honor to come down for once to my level and speak in a language I can understand?”
Bixiou [winking at the rest]. “Willingly.” [Takes Poiret by the button of his frock-coat.] “Before you leave this office forever perhaps you would be glad to know what you are—”
Poiret [quickly]. “An honest man, monsieur.”
Bixiou [shrugging his shoulders]. “—to be able to define, explain, and analyze precisely what a government clerk is? Do you know what he is?”
Poiret. “I think I do.”
Bixiou [twisting the button]. “I doubt it.”
Poiret. “He is a man paid by government to do work.”
Bixiou. “Oh! then a soldier is a government clerk?”
Poiret [puzzled]. “Why, no.”