"Why, what is your trouble?"
"Pardieu! I am going to have the smallpox, that's all! However, I have been vaccinated!"
Balloquet had not finished speaking, when Madame Philocome threw down her book, sprang abruptly to her feet, and rushed from the room, crying:
"Adieu, doctor! you can pay me later; when you please!"
"But, Madame Philocome, if you would rather wait for my key, I'll send to Rouen."
It was unnecessary to say more; we heard the outer door open and close with a bang, and Madame Philocome scrambling down the stairs. Then Balloquet looked at me and roared with laughter, in which I joined. We were still laughing, I am sure, when the old coquette was a long way from the house.
XXVII
A CONSULTATION
"What do you think of my second method, Rochebrune?"
"Excellent; indeed, I think that it's better than the other, for it requires less preparation."
"That depends. We have creditors who will defy smallpox, yellow fever—aye, the plague itself. But I must get up and liberate my squirrel, and return your ten francs."