"What, do you mean that you have entered my service to hand me foot-warmers? It seems to me that in summer you might find something better to do than that."
"Monseigneur de la Roche-Noire, that is a figure of speech," said Férulus, stepping forward; "this girl is here to do everything, and principally to warm the bed when you want it done; but as I could find no warming pan at the moment, she offers you the implement of her duties."
"Yes, monseigneur, I will warm you," said Jeannette with a curtsy.
"Monseigneur," continued Férulus, "Agar performed that service for Abraham, Ruth for Boaz, Bathsheba for David, and I do not see why Jeannette should not perform it for your lordship."
"I don’t see either," said Robineau, "and I highly approve the creation of this position in my château.—Well, my friends, be zealous and active, and above all things see to it that to-morrow you work with redoubled zest and do not get drunk."
As he said this, Robineau walked away with his two friends. The servants returned to their work, and Monsieur Férulus went to Jeannette and whispered in her ear:
"You will warm my bed this evening."
"What, monsieur, already? in such warm weather as this? it’s early in September."
"That proves nothing; it may be hot and still be damp."
"But, monsieur, I can’t find any warming pan."