human
Are you a sorcerer?
gpt
Oh, no! But you don't see that, when I move the cards about, I always throw the one that's on top, although I make believe to throw the one on the bottom. That's how they gull the peasant, who thinks he hasn't taken his eyes off _biribi_. But if by any chance the pigeon guesses right, just when he's going to put his hand on the card which is really _biribi_, a confederate, who is always on hand, says to him: 'Not that one, my man; the other one, to the left. I am sure of it, and, to prove it, I'll bet a hundred sous.' The peasant is persuaded by the confederate's confidence, he takes up the card on which the other has bet five francs, and he is _smoked_.--I say there, you man of sighs, come and play _biribi_ with us a while.
human
I don't care for card playing,
gpt
We must kill time, especially when we've nothing to do. Come and play for a glass of beer--that won't ruin you.
human
I don't want to play.
gpt
Humph! what a poor cuss that fellow is! said Jean Ficelle, turning back to Sans-Cravate.
human
He'll never spend a sou with his friends. I don't call that being a man, myself.
gpt
Paul is more sensible, wiser, than we are; he saves his money and he does well.
human
Saves his money--hum! I don't feel so sure what he does with his money; he gets mighty little good out of it. He's pale as an egg, and his jacket's all patched at the elbows. _Dame!_ perhaps he spends it all to seduce his girl. Women aren't to be caught with nothing but sighs. They like to have money spent on 'em--dressmakers, especially. They say that they have to have dinners and theatre tickets and jewelry. Little Elina probably spends it all for him. She has the look of a sly little coquette----
gpt
What's that you say? he exclaimed.
human
You dare to talk about Mademoiselle Elina! If I am not mistaken, you had the effrontery to make remarks about that young lady! Be careful, Jean! I am not ill-tempered; but if you should be unlucky enough to insult her, why, I would stamp on you as I do on these cards!
gpt
Let alone of me, I say! Will you let alone of me? Stupid fool--to walk on my cards!
human
A terrible calamity! A fine business for a messenger, isn't it? to learn thieves' and blacklegs' tricks, to study ways of cheating other people! Instead of handling cards so skilfully, you would do much better to mend your _crochets_ and your saw. But you prefer to play cards!
gpt
Ah, ça! isn't it about time for the fellow to stop? What airs he puts on! and why, I should like to know! A miserable foundling, with no father nor mother--and he undertakes to preach to other people! Go and hunt up your parents--that would be a better business for you.