human
Indeed I do, exclaimed Coclès.
gpt
Who does not know citizen Tétrell in Strasbourg? Then, approaching the colossus, he added:
human
Good-evening, citizen Tétrell.
gpt
It's all very well for you to know me, said the giant,
human
Oh, yes you do! I am citizen Coclès, who was called Sleepy-head in the days of the tyrant; it was you yourself who baptized me with the name when your horses and dogs were at the Hôtel de la Lanterne. Sleepy-head! What, you don't remember Sleepy-head?
gpt
Why, of course I do; I called you that because you were the laziest rascal I ever knew. And who is this young fellow?
human
He, said Coclès, raising his torch to the level of the boy's face--
gpt
And who is your father, my little friend?
human
He is president of the tribunal at Besançon, citizen,
gpt
But one must know Latin to learn Greek.
human
I do know it.
gpt
What, you know it?
human
Yes, when I was at Besançon my father and I never spoke anything but Latin.
gpt
The devil! You seem to be pretty well advanced for one of your age. How old are you? Eleven or twelve?
human
I am almost fourteen.
gpt
And what made your father send you to Euloge Schneider to learn Greek?
human
Because my father does not know Greek as well as he does Latin. He taught me all he knew, then he sent me to Euloge Schneider, who speaks Greek fluently, having occupied the chair of Greek at Bonn. See, this is the letter my father gave me for him. Besides, he wrote him a week ago, informing him that I would arrive this evening, and it was he who ordered my room to be made ready at the Hôtel de la Lanterne, and sent citizen Coclès to fetch me.
gpt
Come, Sleepy-head, bring your light nearer,
human
Coclès, Coclès,
gpt
My young friend, said Tétrell,
human
Ah! I beg pardon, I made a mistake; my father gave me two letters and I have handed you the wrong one.
gpt
Ah! this time we are right, said Tétrell.
human
To the citizen Euloge Schneider.
gpt
Éloge Schneider,
human
Give your guide a lesson in Greek, laughed the leader of the patrol,
gpt
A fine speaker,
human
Well answered, upon my word! do you hear, Sleepy-head?
gpt
Coclès,
human
Are you going to the Hôtel de la Lanterne?
gpt
Yes, citizen,
human
You will find two of your compatriots there, who have come here to defend and reclaim the adjutant-general, Charles Perrin, who is accused of treason.
gpt
Yes, citizens Dumont and Ballu.
human
That's right. Well, tell them that not only have they nothing to hope for their client, but their stay here bodes them no good. It is merely a question of their heads. Do you understand?
gpt
No, I do not understand,
human
What! don't you understand that Saint-Just will have their heads cut off like two chickens if they remain? Advise them to go, and the sooner the better.
gpt
Shall I tell them that you said so?
human
No, indeed! For them to make me pay for the broken pots, or, rather, for the pots that are not broken. Then, straightening up, he cried:
gpt
Very well, you are good citizens, go your way. Come, march, you others!