"Oh! it is not going to be to-morrow," said Ragaud; "the day of betrothal is not yet fixed. I leave all that to good M. Perdreau. He is taking a great deal of trouble; and I am glad he is, for I know precious little about legal matters."
"So, then, you don't bother yourself with anything?—very pretty conduct on your part."
"What should I do?" asked Ragaud innocently. "Each one has his part to play. M. Perdreau was brought up among books, and I at the plough. When he has the papers ready, he will tell me where to sign my name."
"And you will sign it?"
"Undoubtedly, after he has read them to me."
"All very nice," said Michou. "If I were in your place, I would sign without reading them; it would be more stupid...."
"What do you say?" asked Ragaud.
"I say," replied Jacques, "if you will allow me to offer a word of advice, you will not only make them read your daughter's marriage contract to you, but also have it read to others—to M. le Curé, for example; he is learned also—that he is."
"That would be insulting to M. Perdreau."