"And then, you don't drink much of anything but cider in your province, I suppose?"
"Cider?"—And Colinet looked surprised; but Georgette kicked him, under the table, saying:
"Why, yes! cider, of course. Cider is much more common at home—in Normandie—than wine. So I advise you not to drink too much of this, Colinet, for it would soon make you tipsy!"
"Oh! no, you need have no fear," rejoined Monsieur de Mardeille; "natural wines never do any harm."
"Well! that's his business. But if you make him tipsy, he won't be able to start for home to-day."
This suggestion from Georgette checked the ex-dandy, who was about to fill the young man's glass, but reflected that it would be very foolish to prevent the old playfellow from going away from Paris.
The breakfast lasted a long while; Colinet succeeded in retaining his reason, while doing honor to the neighbor's wines. Georgette was careful to change the subject when Monsieur de Mardeille mentioned Normandie. When the clock struck one, the latter rose and said:
"I must go to the Bourse."
"And I," said Colinet, "must think about starting for home."
"A pleasant journey, Monsieur Colinet! We shall meet again, I hope."