human
Yes, messieurs; it was at Madame Baldimer's last reception. You know whom I mean? that American who has made such a sensation in Paris, because she is very beautiful, very bright, and very original.
gpt
And who is supposed to be very rich,
human
Well, isn't she?
gpt
Why, people are beginning to doubt it; she gives very few big dinners now.
human
If she gives many small ones, that amounts to the same thing.
gpt
What a stupid creature you are, Tobie! Pray let me finish my story. Madame Plays was there with her husband. Good God! what a husband! he ought to serve as a model for them all.
human
Because his wife has given him a pair of horns that wouldn't pass under Porte Saint-Denis?
gpt
Oho! said Tobie, laughing uproariously;
human
I say, Célestin, to think that Tobie didn't know that! Where have you been, my dear fellow--to the Marquesas Islands? to the kingdom of Lahore?
gpt
As if Tobie knew anything! When a man has passed his youth on Rue Beaubourg, he is bound to be far behind the times.
human
Oh! I have lived on Rue de la Ferme-des-Mathurins more than three years now.
gpt
Look, messieurs! see this coming toward us, with the little lilac hat and the pink dress. I rather like the looks of it. Here's a chance to shoot off your monocle, Tobie; especially as the wind makes the lady's dress cling close to her thighs, and we are going before the wind.
human
She isn't pretty,
gpt
Gad! Célestin, you shouted that in her ears; I'll bet that she heard you.
human
Well, suppose she did? aren't opinions free? I say, Tobie; speaking of Rue Beaubourg, I thought that nobody but Jews lived there.
gpt
That's a fable, you see, as I lived there.
human
That's no reason. You may be of that religion yourself.
gpt
I have told you many times that I am a Lutheran, of Polish descent. I don't know why you insist on calling me a Jew.
human
Well, suppose you were a Jew, said Albert;
gpt
It was a yellow mark,
human
Yes; and now that color has become so fashionable that a yellow mark would not be distinctive at all. Ah! there's a young actress from the Variétés. Whom is she with to-day?
gpt
With an Englishman who is in a fair way to ruin himself for her. It won't take long; she makes her adorers strike a fast pace.
human
She is right; she is the fashion now, and she is making the most of it. It doesn't last long in Paris.
gpt
But it seems to me that I could mention several ladies of her stamp who have been the fashion for fifteen years at least. What a pile of money they have fricasseed, eh?
human
Do you know, I like the word _fricasseed_; it's a fact that they spend it with all sorts of sauce.
gpt
If only they had the sense to put some of it by; then they wouldn't be obliged to end as box openers, after cutting a brilliant figure on the stage.
human
Put money by! that's a reflection quite worthy of Tobie! What I can't understand is, how he ever made up his mind to buy such a big pin, with a cameo. How much did your cameo cost, Tobie? and your cane must have cost a lot, too. Damnation! what a swell! he denies himself nothing!
gpt
True, said Célestin;
human
Ah! Monsieur de Valnoir, how unkind of you! When you find me wearing anything that isn't of the first quality, you will be very sharp. I care for nothing, of any sort, that is not really choice. It's the same with my linen--I must always have the very finest. The shirt I am wearing cost me seventy-five francs.
gpt
Have you many dozens of that sort?
human
Why, yes; I like to have a lot of linen; I was brought up to that habit. My mother had five or six large wardrobes filled with sheets--all fine Holland. When I go into partnership with my aunt, I shall deny myself nothing; I shall have only the finest damask on my table----
gpt
Have you an aunt in business?
human
Yes; she sells all sorts of goods on commission. It's a big establishment: twelve clerks and eight travelling men. She promised long ago to put me at the head of it; and if it hadn't been for some escapades of mine, she'd have done it before now.
gpt
Isn't that Madame Baldimer in that little _citadine_?
human
Yes, that is she.
gpt
Was she alone?
human
I think not; I thought that I caught a glimpse of a moustache beside her face.