The heir hesitated.
"Then, sir, it will be second class; the orchestra from the Opéra-Comique, second rate singers—according to the amount."
Further hesitation.
Whereupon the undertaker added in a sad tone,
"Then it will be third class; but I warn you, Monsieur, it will not be gay!" (sic).
As I am on this topic I will add that I have received a letter of congratulations from Italy which concludes with the usual salutations, but this time conceived as follows:
"Believe, dear sir, in my most sincere obsequies." (Free translation of ossequiosita.)
Sometimes death has as amusing sides as life has sad ones.
Which brings to mind the fidelity with which the Lionnet brothers attended burials.
Was it sympathy for the departed or ambition to see their names among those distinguished persons mentioned as having been present? We shall never know.