"I am much more so when I am not ill."
"Wait—just wait three minutes, if you please; I am going to make an experiment with Coco."
Saint-Arthur hastily left Roncherolle and went to his room where he was heard to close several doors. After a few moments he returned and asked:
"Well, did you hear?"
"What?"
"Did you hear my bird talking?"
"Ah! victory! I took him into the little dressing room, beyond the two rooms, and there he will stay. I made him talk a great deal, in fact."
"Did he say: 'Dutaillis is lovely?'"
"No, he said: 'Good-day, Monsieur Brillant!' but I will teach him, I will persist, and so long as it doesn't inconvenience you——"