human
Stop a minute, won't you! I can't keep up with you; do you want to see my spleen swell up like a balloon? _Sacrédié!_ you ought to be a runner; I believe you could beat the horses on the Champ de Mars!
gpt
It's mighty lucky, panted Jean Ficelle.
human
I was just going to give out; on my word, I was blowing like a cab horse!
gpt
I don't see that woman, said Sans-Cravate;
human
Was it really Bastringuette that you saw turn into this street? You ain't sure of it, are you?
gpt
No.
human
What are we going to do now?
gpt
As long as we're in the Marais, let's go to Rue Barbette, where my traitor's cousin lives.
human
All right, let's inspect the Marais, I'm willing; perhaps we may meet somebody else. But we don't need to run any more, that don't help us any. Let's walk along quiet now, arm in arm.
gpt
Did I run just now?
human
Oh, no! of course not! not any faster than a steam engine. I'm willing to go with you and help you in your search; for I'm your friend--and when anyone insults you, d'ye see, it makes me madder than if it was me. Bless my soul! a friend's a friend--that's enough for me. But that's no reason for your breaking my wind. Besides, you know, you can find things out much better by going slow than by running like a bullet. Look you, I'll give you a comparison. Have you ever been on the railroad?
gpt
Yes; I went to Saint-Germain once, with Bastringuette.
human
Well, what did you see, what did you notice on the way?
gpt
How do you suppose a man can notice anything when he's going like the wind?
human
Exactly--that's what I'm coming at. That's like you--just now. How do you expect to see anything or find out anything in the street, when you're running like a horse with the bit between his teeth?
gpt
I believe you're right; give me your arm, and we'll go slowly about our search in the Marais.