human
This party has been a failure, said Philémon to young Callé, who put on his gloves as he went downstairs.
gpt
It's only ten o'clock--what in the deuce can we do now?
human
Seven minutes past ten! said the young spark, looking at his watch;
gpt
I agree with the Treasury.
human
Never mind; a fellow can't go home to bed at seven minutes after ten; for my part, I hate to go to bed early.
gpt
True--it's bad form.
human
But you always want me to go to bed early, my dear.
gpt
Yes--because it's very healthy for women; they need more sleep than we do.--Which way are you going, Monsieur Callé?
human
Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne, No. 8, monsieur.
gpt
Indeed! and we live on Rue Bleue, within a few steps. By the way, Monsieur Callé, are you related to a Callé of Lyon, wholesale dealer in silks?
human
He's my cousin, monsieur.
gpt
Pardieu! he's one of my best friends. When we were bachelors, he used to come to Paris often; we've had many a spree together!
human
What, my dear! did you ever go on sprees?
gpt
I was speaking to Monsieur Callé, Nonore; it doesn't concern you.--So you are Édouard Callé's cousin?
human
I have that honor.
gpt
Sapristi! what a bore it is to go home at ten o'clock!
human
If you want to take me anywhere, my dear, I am all ready.
gpt
Why, no, madame, no; I don't care to take you anywhere to-night. It's too late to go to the theatre--so there's nowhere to go but a café, and men don't take their wives to a café; it's very bad form. Besides, women don't enjoy it, and they're terribly in the way.
human
But you go there a great deal!
gpt
I go to my club--a most excellent club, where one can always have a game of cards; and I confess that I am strongly inclined to go there and play a game of whist.
human
Well! take me to your club.
gpt
Upon my word! as if women were ever admitted! Women at a club! Why, we couldn't hear ourselves talk! I feel just like going there to-night, but it's in an entirely different direction from my house. It just occurs to me that as Monsieur Callé lives in our quarter, it would not inconvenience him very much to leave you at our door; in that way, I could go to my club.
human
I am entirely at your service, monsieur, and it will give me great pleasure to escort madame.
gpt
What! you are going to leave me, Philémon? you are going to send me home with monsieur, whom I hardly know?
human
Why, bless my soul, Nonore! I don't see that monsieur has a very terrifying aspect. Besides, he is a friend of Mirotaine, and the cousin of a man with whom I am very intimate; so he isn't a stranger to me.
gpt
I don't care for that; you know very well that I am not in the habit of taking any man's arm but yours.
human
Exactly; and it's a most absurd idea, of which you must cure yourself.
gpt
My dear Monsieur Callé, he said,
human
I intrust my wife to you, and my mind is entirely at ease; I am convinced that you won't lose her.
gpt
Oh! no, monsieur; I will not leave madame until she is safely inside her door.
human
Thanks.--Au revoir, Nonore! go right to bed; I shan't be late.
gpt
Philémon! Philémon! you are going away without kissing me!