“No, it ain’t forgery; it’s a note that we put in circulation; it ain’t forgery; is it, Dufresne? In all this, the banker is the only one that’s fooled; but those rascals are rich enough to make us a little present.”
“In fact,” said Dufresne, “it isn’t exactly a forgery; we create a note, that’s all, and we make someone else pay it.”
“That’s just it, my boy, it’s only a little joke.—Oh! you understand such games, you do; but Monbrun is a little dull.”
“No, no, I understand very well, messieurs; but I cannot consent to resort to such methods. I disapprove of your plan.”
“Is that so? Well, you’ll never get ahead, my man, and you’ll die of hunger, like the fleas in winter!”
“It is true that we have no resources,” said Dufresne; “no linen, no clothes except those we have on!”
“That’s very fine! Just reflect that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
“What about honor?” said Edouard in a weak voice.
“Honor! Pardi! I rather guess yours has been roaming the country for a long while; as for Dufresne, he’s like me, never had any, for fear of losing it.”
“This rascal of a Lampin is always joking! Let’s have a drink, messieurs.”