"What, you, Oury? I thought you were in the provinces."
"I made for myself," answered Oury, "a corner of the provinces in Paris, and as you see I am alive, or at least I appear to be so."
"And what are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"What do you mean, nothing? when I find you leaning against the big catalogues!"
"I came here to rest my eyes a little, for I do not work, I watch others work."
"Ah!"
"Yes, I come here each noon and remain till closing time. In summer this takes place at six o'clock, so I do a good day's work. In winter I have hardly time to install myself."
"And you do nothing?"
"No, I wait. I am like the scholar in the legend: I wait until the others leave."