"That is the reason I say: may her soul rest in peace."
"Exactly; for in her time, the old boy would never have given us the forty sous."
"In the universe, where they give forty sous to a famishing clerk for his breakfast."
"Apropos of Madame Séraphin, which of you fellows has seen the new servant that takes her place?"
"The Alsatian girl whom Madame Pipelet, the porter's wife of No. 17, Rue du Temple, the house where poor Louise lived, brought one evening?"
"Of course not; it is altogether impossible to see her, for the governor is more savage than ever to prevent our entering the pavilion in the courtyard."
"And since the porter cleans the office now, how can one get a glimpse at his Mary?"
"I am sure, beforehand, that she has not so good-looking a face as poor Louise--that good girl?"
"Come, since you have seen her, how does this new servant look?"
"When I say I saw her, I have seen her cap--a very funny cap."
"It was cherry color, and of velvet, I believe; something like those worn by the little broom girls."
"Like the Alsatians? it is very natural, since she is an Alsatian."
"But I do! what is it that surprises you? The burnt child shuns the fire!"
"Chalamel! what relation between your proverb and this cap?"
"Because a benefit is never lost, and the dog is a friend of man!"
"Hold! If Chalamel opens his budget of proverbs, which mean nothing, we are in for it. Come, tell us what you know of this new servant."
"The day before yesterday I was out in the yard: she had her back toward one of the windows of the ground-floor."
"What stupidity! No, the servant's. The glasses are so dirty that I could see nothing of her figure; but I could see her cherry-colored cap, and a profusion of curls, as black as jet; for she wears her hair in short curls."
"I am sure that the governor would not have seen through his spectacles as much as you did; for here you have one, as they say, who, if he remained alone with a woman on the earth, the world would soon come to an end."
"That is not astonishing. He laughs best who laughs last, and, moreover, punctuality is the politeness of kings."
"How wearisome Chalamel is when he lays himself out to it!"
"Tell me what company you keep, and I'll tell you what you are."