The man stared at him in amazement, but said finally:
"I am engaged; I have a fare."
"I know that you have a fare; but it's that fare who expects me; don't you see this sign?"
And he opened his left hand again.
"You offer me ten francs, I can see that plain enough," said the cabman; "that's all right, and if I wasn't taken, I'd say at once: 'Get in, bourgeois'; but I can't do it."
"Bless me! how stupid the man is! Can she have forgotten to tell him what signs I was to make?"
And again Chamoureau opened his left hand for the benefit of the driver, who shook his head, saying:
"You might offer me twenty francs—I tell you I've got somebody in my carriage!"
"And I tell you again that I am well aware of it; and I repeat that that somebody expects me."
"If you're expected, get in; it's all one to me."