And the peasant made haste to offer the hen to Beauregard. But he, taking a five-franc piece from his pocket, handed it to Père Ledrux, saying:
“Yes, a hundred sous, cash, and here it is; but on one condition.”
“What is it, monsieur?”
“That you will keep the hen at your place and take care of her.”
“Ah! monsieur leaves her with me as a boarder?” rejoined Ledrux, pocketing the five francs.
“Yes; does that displease you?”
“Not at all—just the opposite; I don’t ask anything better. Monsieur can flatter himself that he’s bought a splendid hen.”
“Does she lay often?”
“Well! that depends on the sun; there’s times when she does. Shall I keep the eggs for monsieur, too?”
“No, no! I’ll give them to you.”