“The house? I beg pardon, but we haven’t finished with the furniture yet, and I would like——”
“I tell you that I propose to buy the house; if it brings enough to pay your debt, then you won’t need to sell the furniture.”
“Of course not; but I doubt very much whether this hovel——”
“Do you understand me, monsieur? I tell you that I mean to buy this house; let us make an end of the business, I beg.”
These words were uttered in a tone which made Jarnouillard as flexible as a glove. He leaned toward the auctioneer and said in a low tone:
“This man is very anxious to have the house; we must make him pay for it! Suppose we should fix the upset price at—at five hundred francs?”
“It’s twice as much as it’s worth.”
“No matter, let’s try it!”
“Jarnouillard! Jarnouillard! turn it to the right! You’ve got it on crooked!”
“For God’s sake, Madame Jarnouillard, let me alone! you tire me! no matter about my wig now!”