“They have.”
“The notary, and the curé?”
“Rest easy. You alone are keeping us waiting.”
At this moment Clerbaut, an old crony, came in.
“Well, old Cornbutte,” cried he, “here’s luck! Your ship has arrived at the very moment that the government has decided to contract for a large quantity of wood for the navy!”
“What is that to me?” replied Jean Cornbutte. “What care I for the government?”
“You see, Monsieur Clerbaut,” said Marie, “one thing only absorbs us,—Louis’s return.”
“I don’t dispute that,” replied Clerbaut. “But—in short—this purchase of wood—”
“And you shall be at the wedding,” replied Jean Cornbutte, interrupting the merchant, and shaking his hand as if he would crush it.
“This purchase of wood—”