“A lady who lives in the hotel?”
“Yes, the one with the little uncle who talks all the time.”
“Mademoiselle Derbin?”
“Just so.”
“What did she ask you?”
“She acted as if she just happened to pass through the yard where I was; she asked me first: ‘Are you in Monsieur Dalbreuse’s service?’
“‘Yes, mademoiselle.’”
“You should have told her, Pettermann, that you were travelling with me, but not as my servant.”
“Why so, monsieur? I consider myself very lucky to belong to you; and as there must always be one who does what the other says, it is right that you should be the one to give the orders; therefore you are the master.”
“What then, Pettermann?”