The sutler showed us what he had: so much brandy, the strongest in France, he said—so much wine; how beautiful, would we not take a glass?—so much tobacco, and so on; he praising and Nicholas critically valuing as the goods were shown. When everything had been shown Nicholas offered 500 francs for all.
"Oh no, not at all; that would ruin me."
"Very well; let us go to the Jew."
As we were passing out he ran out after Nicholas, and said:
"Six hundred."
"Five," said Nicholas.
The sutler shook his head.
"Give me five hundred and fifty and take all, in the name of the devil."
"For the last time, five hundred."
"Oh, you have a hard heart, very hard for so young and brave a soldier."