"No, monsieur; my Aunt Duponceau has a little place there, and we're going to pass Sunday with her."
"You begin the day before, I see."
"She made me promise to come Saturday with the children. Capucine will join us to-morrow."
"Ah! he isn't with you?"
"It wasn't possible; we can't all leave at once, on account of the business; it's stretching a point for me to go away with my servant."
"But you have your clerk?"
"Monsieur Ballot? Oh! yes, he's still with us; we're very lucky to have him—a very intelligent fellow, and full of ideas."
Monsieur Cherami smiled maliciously, as he replied:
"Yes, yes, I saw at once that he attended to your business very well. I'm sure that you'll push that young man ahead."
"Oh! he'll push himself all right. He's coming to Romainville to-morrow with my husband."