As he spoke, Chicotin Patatras--for such was the name of this last individual--coolly planted himself in front of his friend, and stooped as if he were all ready to be beaten. But when he saw that, Georget rose, his anger vanished, and he offered his hand to his comrade, saying:
"Can you think of such a thing? I, strike you! that would be pretty! Come, it is all over, I am not angry any more; nor you either, are you?"
"You see, Chicotin, there are many people who say that you are a ne'er-do-well, a brawler, and a sot; they have nicknamed you Patatras, because wherever you go, you always arrive like a bomb and turn everything topsy-turvy! But I do you justice, and I have always defended you; and if you are noisy, and if you do sometimes throw a whole company into confusion, you have a good heart all the same, and when you are fond of anybody, he can always rely on you."
"Pardi! a man is a good friend, or he isn't. A door is open or shut, one or the other! that's all I know!--Well, will you go to the Folies-Dramatiques with me to-night? I'll treat you; I have some cash; I carried a bouquet to the young lady! Ah! bless my soul! that bouquet evidently gave pleasure, for she put five francs in my hand; the gentleman had given me as much! in all, two hind wheels, six times as much as the bouquet was worth! But these lovers! tell me who else is so generous, when they are satisfied, and are in funds? 'Tis love, love, love, that makes the world go round!"
"Oh, yes! the rich lovers, they are happy enough! they can make their sweethearts handsome presents!"
"Bah! they are not the ones I envy, especially as I have noticed that the ones who are loved the best are not the ones who give the most presents! A little more pains is taken to deceive them, that's all! I see so many things, when I am doing errands, opening carriage doors, or asking for theatre checks! But the actors! Oh, the actors! when I can be employed by one of them, then I am perfectly happy! I went on the stage once, that is to say, under the stage, at the Ambigu! It's mighty amusing, I tell you, and you see a lot of things--that you don't expect to see!--But you are not listening to me, Georget. Ah! I can guess what you're thinking about, with your eyes always turned in that direction! So it is all over, is it? You're in love for good and all!"