"'I sometimes pass a whole week here, without putting my nose outside the door.'
"'A week! What about your place?'
"'I let it go to the devil!'
"'And your wife?'
"'The same with her. I have never put myself out for her. A week after my wedding, I slept away from home three nights in succession. A man should always put his wife on the proper footing at the outset. You ought to have done the same with yours.'
"'Oh! my wife pays very little attention to what I do. I can stay away all night if I choose; she won't say anything.'
"'That's all right! But let's go in; the women must be here, waiting for us.'
"'How many are there?'
"'Two each, or rather four each, as there are four of them.—Ha! ha!'
"'Pardieu! that's true. By the way, remember not to call me anything but Bouqueton.'