"See!" said I, "Jean Bouchon has been here again; I told him that I would not pay him one sou, and he has vanished in a most perplexing manner. I do not see him in the room."
"No, he is not in the room."
"When he comes in again, send him to me. I want to have a word with him."
The waiter looked confused, and replied: "I do not think that Jean will return."
"How long has he been on your staff?"
"Oh! he has not been on our staff for some years."
"Then why does he come here and ask for payment for coffee and what else one may order?"
"He never takes payment for anything that has been consumed. He takes only the tips."
"But why do you permit him to do that?"
"We cannot help ourselves."