Madame Valière ignored the suggestion. "But why should a grey wig cost more than any other?"
The coiffeur shrugged his shoulders. "Since there are less grey hairs in the world—"
"Comment!" repeated Madame Valière, in amazement.
"It stands to reason," said the coiffeur. "Since most persons do not live to be old—or only live to be bald." He grew animated, professorial almost, seeing the weight his words carried to unthinking bosoms. "And since one must provide a fine hair-net for a groundwork, to imitate the flesh-tint of the scalp, and since each hair of the parting must be treated separately, and since the natural wave of the hair must be reproduced, and since you will also need a block for it to stand on at nights to guard its shape—"
"But since one has already blocks," interposed Madame Dépine.
"But since a conscientious artist cannot trust another's block! Represent to yourself also that the shape of the head does not remain as fixed as the dome of the Invalides, and that—"
"Eh bien, we will think," interrupted Madame Valière, with dignity.
VIII
They walked slowly towards the Hôtel des Tourterelles.