"On the contrary, he had a lot of hidden drawbacks, and he was always drunk. That's what made me take a dislike to your sex, in the matter of love."
"Very good! I agree with you, on my honor. I think you did well to adopt that course."
"Why?"
"Because it makes you resemble Dido. But let us change the subject; tell me quickly what time it is."
"Dame! it's a good half-hour—yes, at least half an hour—since I heard the clock strike twelve."
"Then say at once that it's half-past twelve. Bigre! I have been lazy, and no mistake; but when I came in last night, it was two o'clock in the morning."
"No earlier; and you woke me up, too; you always make such a noise on the stairs!"
"At all events, I didn't wake your concierge, as you haven't one."
"What's the good of a concierge?—Everybody knows the secret of the passageway, and they can come in when they choose."
"And by feeling their way, which is often very imprudent."