"Oh! a hundred sous, I suppose."
"Here's the money; and I am your debtor."
Dumouton pocketed the five francs with a radiant air. But he took his umbrellas in his hand again and held them out to me.
"I am sorry that you won't take one of these," he said.
I glanced at them, and replied:
"But neither of them is new."
"Oh! that may be; we bought them at second-hand. But they are good ones, and not dear. I will give you your choice for ten francs."
It was clear to my mind that poor Dumouton was sadly in need of money. Why should I not gratify him by buying an umbrella? That was simply a roundabout way of asking a favor. I took one of the umbrellas at random, and said:
"Well, if it will relieve you,—and I can understand that these two are a luxury, if you have five at home,—give me this one. Here's the ten francs."
Dumouton took the money and slipped one of the umbrellas under my arm so rapidly that I thought that he had run it into me; and fearing perhaps that I would change my mind and go back on my bargain, he left me on the instant, saying: