"Well, I can't look ahead so far as that. If you are found out you can say you made a mistake. They can't any more than discharge a man for making a mistake."
"I'll do it, Clément. Here goes—good luck to Bonnefoi."
"And good luck to the fellow you shove ahead in his place; we'll drink an extra glass to him when we finish work to-night. Let's see what may his name be."
"'Tournay, Robert, former Colonel!' Hello, what's that?" cried Clément, interrupting him.
"I did not hear anything," replied Hanneton.
"The sound seemed to come from the next room."
"Oh, it's only that woman who is cleaning the place. She has knocked over a table or a chair. Come. Let's go out and get something to eat. I'm famished. We can return later, and finish our work."