"Congratulations, old man, I bet on six whites."
"Hallo, Larive! I never noticed you."
"I quite believe you; you didn't notice anybody, you still look bewildered. Is it the emotion inseparable from—"
"I dare say."
"The candidate is requested to return to the examination room!" said the usher.
And old Michu added, in a whisper, "You have passed. I told you so. You won't forget old Michu, sir."
M. Flamaran conferred my degree with a paternal smile, and a few kind words for "this conscientious study, full of fresh ideas on a difficult subject."
I bowed to the examiners. Larive was waiting for me in the courtyard, and seized me by the arm.
"Uncle Mouillard will be pleased."
"I suppose so."