human
Well, well! is it really you, old fellow? continued Jean Ficelle, wringing Laboussole's hand.
gpt
It's a long time since I saw you--almost three months and a half.
human
Yes, said Sans-Cravate, who seemed less delighted than his comrade by the meeting;
gpt
Oh, yes! to be sure--I remember, said Laboussole, good-humoredly.
human
You were present at the time of my arrest, weren't you? A blunder, my boys, an unlucky blunder, and nothing else! They mistook me for another man; and after keeping me in prison two months, they let me go in a hurry. They went so far as to make apologies--which I accepted--but it was almighty unpleasant, all the same. I was tempted to go to law, to make a claim for damages and interest; but everybody said to me: 'We've never had a doubt of your innocence; society has always done you justice, and that ought to satisfy you.'
gpt
Your good opinion is very pleasant to me, my boys. Yes, I am quite as white as Jean Ficelle's shirt--perhaps a little whiter, even;--but I believe you were going into the wine shop; don't let me keep you.
human
On the contrary, you're coming in to have a drink with us. Who ever heard of friends meeting without wetting their whistles?
gpt
With pleasure, my friends; let's go in; I was just thinking that I felt the need of moistening my lips.