human
What day is it?
gpt
What day? This is Tuesday.
human
No, not that; what day of the month?
gpt
Oh! it's the twenty-fourth.
human
The twenty-fourth! Why, how long have I been sick?
gpt
It was the fifth you got so used up! I remember it very well; it was a Thursday.
human
The fifth; so I've been here nineteen days?
gpt
Well, what if it was fifty? I can understand that it bores you to be sick, but ain't you well taken care of here? Don't Mamzelle Elina and I do all that's necessary, all the doctor says?
human
Ah! yes, my good Bastringuette--indeed you do too much! But to-morrow's the twenty-fifth. Great God! It can't be postponed. That thought, Bastringuette, is what gives me the fever and keeps me from getting well.
gpt
What thought? Come, speak out, tell me what you want me to do. I'll do it right away.
human
Oh! yes, yes! you will do it, won't you?
gpt
Do you want me to swear?
human
No. Listen: that old lady, at whose rooms you met me, on Vieille Rue du Temple----
gpt
Madame Desroches?
human
Yes; I absolutely must send her some money.
gpt
Money! Mon Dieu! as if----
human
Oh! I am well aware that you haven't any, my poor girl! I know that you and Elina deprive yourselves of everything in order to take care of me.
gpt
No, no--nonsense! The druggist gives me the medicines for nothing.
human
Listen. To-morrow morning, early, you must go to my room--the key is in the pocket of my jacket. It's on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, No. 10. Go up to the fifth floor, the door on the left. There you will find sixty francs in the table drawer.
gpt
Ah! what luck!
human
Wait a moment: you are to take that money, also a frock-coat, a pair of black trousers, and a black waistcoat, which you will find in a small wardrobe. They are all in good condition, almost new, I wear them so seldom. However, if you think they are not enough, take all the linen you can find--four shirts, some sheets----
gpt
Mon Dieu! what am I to do with all those things?
human
Take them to the Mont-de-Piété, and get forty francs on them, which you will put with the sixty; for to-morrow,--yes, to-morrow, the twenty-fifth,--you must carry a hundred francs to Madame Desroches. You must do it, do you hear?
gpt
Noble young man! What! you mean to go on doing without everything, to----
human
Hush, Bastringuette! you must carry that sum to-morrow to the widow of my benefactor. If that isn't done, I feel that I shall never get well.
gpt
Oh! in that case, I'll go. Never you fear! I'll do everything you've told me, and she shall have the money to-morrow. But suppose your concierge won't let me carry the things away?
human
There isn't any concierge.
gpt
In that case, it will soon be fixed up.
human
Good! I thank you, Bastringuette. And you won't mention this to Elina?
gpt
Oh! dear me, no! as long as you don't want her to know your good deeds.
human
I am simply doing my duty. If only heaven will permit me to finish what I have undertaken! I was so happy to think that, in a few months more---- However, you'll go to-morrow, won't you, Bastringuette?--By the way, one word more: Madame Desroches will ask you, no doubt, why I haven't been to see her for so long a time, and why I have sent you with the money. You must tell her that I sent you because I had to leave Paris, to go on a short journey for the house in which I am employed. Don't forget that.
gpt
No, I won't forget anything.