"Shut up, you old cucumber! you'd like to be as fresh as my fish!"
The epithet old cucumber touched the old man to the quick; he got up and walked away, muttering:
"If you weren't a woman, I'd stuff your words down your throat!"
"Oh, indeed! you'd have plenty to do then, for I feel like saying a good deal more to you."
"But, Adelaide, I beg you, look out for Aristoloche; he's going out of the office."
"Well, I can't help it, madame; I can't attend to everything; I have quite enough to do with your box and your basket—and with talking back to this veteran."
"Veteran! I believe that you had the face to call me veteran!"
"La Villette—all aboard!—Monsieur, you're for La Villette; hurry up!"
These words were addressed to the old man who was disputing with Adelaide, and who, as he left, bestowed a crushing glance on the servant, who laughed in his face and administered a cuff to young Aristoloche, the child of four, who, despite his mamma's orders, persisted in trying to leave the office.