‘“Now, I have a perfectly serious thing to propose. I think it is the only way to keep us out of the almshouse, and I believe it to be a perfectly sure way. I base this opinion upon certain multitudinous and long-established facts in human history. I believe my project will make us all rich.”
‘“Rich! You’ve lost your mind.”
‘“No, I haven’t.”
‘“Yes, you have—you’ve lost your mind. What do you call rich?”
‘“A hundred thousand francs apiece.”
‘“He has lost his mind. I knew it.”
‘“Yes, he has. Carl, privation has been too much for you, and—”
‘“Carl, you want to take a pill and get right to bed.”
‘“Bandage him first—bandage his head, and then—”
‘“No, bandage his heels; his brains have been settling for weeks—I’ve noticed it.”