“Well! it’s sure enough that I go about everywhere in the way of my trade; and then a body talks a bit, you know; it sort of rests you.”
“In that case, as I require some information, as I wish to know something about the society of this neighborhood, I think that you are just the man I want.”
“Monsieur couldn’t apply in a better quarter. As for the hen’s board——”
“Here’s five francs more for the first outlay; for, from what you tell me, I see that it costs a great deal to feed her.”
The old peasant put the second five-franc piece in his pocket, saying:
“But I’ll take such good care of her! You won’t know her after a little while. If monsieur would like to come to our house to see where I live——”
“Yes, but first, you must show me Madame de Belleville’s place.”
“That’s easy; we get there by turning to the right.”
“And on the way, you will tell me what houses are to let here.”
“I say! is monsieur coming to live at Chelles, too?”