"Ah! my patron's the boy for me," continued Sans-Cravate; "he's a jolly fellow, and a good one, too! He enjoys himself and wants other people to do the same. Yes, he's a good fellow; let's drink to the health of Monsieur Albert Vermoncey."
"That's the talk! Here's to him!"
"Well, Paul, aren't you going to drink?"
"I'm not thirsty."
"Does that prevent your drinking? Come on!"
"No; I've no desire to get drunk."
"Bah! what a soft-head! You're not a man, then; you're an old woman! As if a man ever refused to drink with friends!"
"No, no," said Jean Ficelle, who was doing his best to set Sans-Cravate against his young comrade; "he insults us."
"A man never refuses to drink," said Monsieur Laboussole, touching his glass to Paul's; but the young messenger took his glass and threw it on the floor, saying:
"I don't choose to drink with you, I say!"