The word was passed, "They begin with C this week."
They did.
"Clisson!"
Clisson jumped like a flash and marked his name on the floor in chalk before a front seat.
"Caron!"
Caron galloped away to secure his place. Bang! went an easel. "Nom de Dieu!" in French,—"Where in h—l are you goin'!" in English. Crash! a paintbox fell with brushes and all on board. "Dieu de Dieu de—" spat! A blow, a short rush, a clinch and scuffle, and the voice of the massier, stern and reproachful:
"Cochon!"
Then the roll-call was resumed.
"Clifford!"
The massier paused and looked up, one finger between the leaves of the ledger.