"All right," he said.
The girl put out her hand.
"S'il vous plaît, monsieur," she said: "la petite monnaie."
Stainton had tried to take the extended hand to bid its owner good-night, but he noticed, before she began to speak, that it was turned palm upward.
"What's this?" he enquired of Muriel.
"My cab-fare," said the visitor in French, and Muriel, vaguely appreciating the fact that here was another custom of the country, translated.
"Give her a five-franc piece," she said. "Something of the sort is evidently expected."
"So I have to pay her for the privilege of buying her champagne?" laughed Jim. "Ask her what I am paying for. I am curious about this."
"No," said Muriel.
"Do," urged Stainton.