"Base scoffer! But what news?"
"A great piece."
"What?"
"I am too indolent to tell it."
"Come, Jacques—I'm dying for news."
"I really couldn't. You have no idea how weakly I am growing; and as it deals in battle and blood, I cannot touch upon it."
"Ah! that is the character of a man's friends. In the sunshine all devotion; in adversity——"
"And exile——"
"All hatred."
"Very well," said Jacques, "I can afford to labor under your injustice. You are systematically unjust. But I just dropped in as I passed—and, my dear Sir Asinus, there is a visitor coming. I shall intrude——"