Rigolette reflected a moment, and then replied:
"You shall have all this before two hours have passed: good clothes, nicely made, warm and comfortable, good white linen for all the family, two small beds for the children, one for the grandmother, and, in fact, all that is required; but, I can tell you, all this will cost a great, great deal of money."
"Oh, at least--the very least, five or six hundred francs."
"Yes; you see it is a great sum of money," said Rigolette, opening her eyes very wide and shaking her head.
"My little neighbour, you must be a fairy!"
"Oh, no! it is easy enough. The Temple is but two steps from here, and you will get there everything you require."
"What, neighbour, don't you know the Temple?"
"Yet it is the place where such persons as you and I fit themselves out in furniture and clothes, when they are economical. It is much cheaper than any other place, and the things are also good."
"I think so. Well, now, I suppose--how much did you pay for your greatcoat?"
"What, neighbour! not know how much you gave for your greatcoat?"
"I will tell you, in confidence, neighbour," said Rodolph, smiling, "that I owe for it; so, you see, I cannot exactly say."
"Oh, neighbour, neighbour, you do not appear to me to be very orderly in your habits!"
"I must cure you of that, if you desire that we should continue friends; and I see already that we shall be, for you seem so kind! You will not be sorry to have me for a neighbour, I can see. You will assist me and I shall assist you,--we are neighbours, and that's why. I shall look after your linen; you will give me your help in cleaning my room. I am up very early in the morning, and will call you, that you may not be late in going to your work; I will knock against the wainscot until you say to me, 'Good morning, neighbour!'"
"That's agreed; you shall awaken me, you shall take charge of my linen, and I will clean out your room."
"Certainly. And, when you have anything to buy, you must go to the Temple; for see now, for example, your greatcoat must have cost you eighty francs, I have no doubt; well, you might have bought one just as good at the Temple for thirty francs."
"Really, that is marvellous! And so you think that for four or five hundred francs these poor Morels--"