"And you can reserve three rooms for us?" was the little abbé's final demand.
This time the face of mine host lost its jovial assurance.
"Three rooms? Ah, no, Monsieur le Curé—that is quite impossible!... But we can manage all the same.... I have an attic for your chauffeur, and a fine double-bedded room for you and Monsieur the corporal.... That will suit you—I think?"
"Yes, quite well! Very well, indeed!" declared Fandor, delighted at this opportunity of keeping his queer travelling companion under his eye.
The little abbé was far from satisfied.
"What! You have not two rooms for us?" he expostulated. "I have a horror of sharing a room with anyone whatever! I am not accustomed to it; and I cannot sleep under those conditions!"
"Monsieur le Curé, it's full up here! I have a wedding party on my hands!"
"Well, then is there no hotel near by, where I can."...
"No, Monsieur le Curé: I am the only hotel-keeper about here!"
"Is it far to the parsonage?"