human
Pardieu! I know now why Dodichet played that joke on poor Mirotaine; it has just come back to me. One of our mutual friends, a poor fellow named Lucien, is in love with Mademoiselle Mirotaine.--Did you know that, Monsieur Callé?
gpt
Yes, monsieur; I have heard Madame Mirotaine say so; but as the young man has nothing, they refuse to give him Mademoiselle Juliette.
human
Exactly; Lucien told us about it not long ago; he was afraid that some rich man would marry the girl, who has no dowry, but who is very pretty.--Don't you think she's pretty, Nonore?
gpt
Oh, yes! to those who like brunettes.
human
And I remember that Dodichet said to Lucien: 'Don't you want me to help along your love affair by playing some good practical joke on your old skinflint of a Mirotaine?'--He called him an old skinflint, because he's very close-fisted, very miserly; you must have noticed that?
gpt
I have never paid any attention to that, monsieur.
human
Well, he didn't miss fire.
gpt
Oh! but that was a very scurvy trick for him to play--to get himself and his friend invited to dinner!
human
And by Mirotaine! For my part, I think it was very clever! Dodichet is really much cleverer than I supposed.
gpt
What does he do?
human
Mon Dieu! nothing at all. He has run through all his property, making sport of everybody all the while! But what will it bring him to? Starvation!--for, in this world, we all have to do something in order to succeed--to make a good position for ourselves;--eh, Bruneau?
gpt
How's that? what?
human
Pshaw! he never attends to the conversation!
gpt
Give me something to drink; I like that better.
human
I was saying that everyone has his goal here on earth; I know what mine is, and I shall get there!--You must have a goal, too, Monsieur Callé--you, too, want to arrive, eh?
gpt
Arrive where, monsieur?
human
I have no idea. What is your business?
gpt
I haven't any, monsieur; I don't do anything. I have ten thousand francs a year.
human
That makes a difference--you have arrived!
gpt
I, said Monsieur Bruneau,
human
No, monsieur; I don't know how to play anything but bézique.
gpt
Ah! do you play bézique? cried Dubotté.
human
That's my wife's favorite game; she adores bézique.--Isn't that so, Nonore? aren't you very fond of the game?
gpt
Yes, my dear, I like to play with you.
human
True; but you'd enjoy it much more to play with somebody else; for when you and I play, whether the stakes are two sous or ten, we never pay; how exciting that is! With anybody else, you stake your money in earnest, and defend it, which is always much more interesting.
gpt
You and my wife must play a game of bézique; she plays very well.
human
With pleasure, monsieur; I will do whatever you wish.
gpt
It would be much better for you to play with monsieur, my dear; you play much better than I.
human
Not by any means! I tell you that you know the game perfectly.
gpt
But what will you do while we play?
human
I will look over you, or talk with Bruneau; don't worry about me.