Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/109

on his prey, and nodded towards Blancheron. “If you could only keep a piece of him.”

“I’ll try; but do you dress yourself, and cut. Come back by ten; I will keep him till then. Above all, bring me something in your pocket.”

“I’ll bring you a pine-apple,” said Marcel as he evaporated.

He dressed himself hastily ; the dress-coat fitted him like a glove. Then he went out by the second door of the studio.

Schaunard set himself to work. When it was fairly night, Monsieur Blancheron heard the clock strike six, and remembered that he had not dined. He informed Schaunard of the fact.

“I am in the same position,” said the other; “but to oblige you, I will go without to-day, though I had an invitation in the Faubourg St. Germain. But we can’t break off now; it might spoil the resemblance.” And he painted away harder than ever. “By the way,” said he, suddenly, “we can dine without breaking off. There is a capital restaurant down-stairs, which will send us up any thing we like.” And Schaunard awaited the effect of his trial of plurals.

“I accept your idea,” said Blancheron: “and in return, I hope you will do me the honor of keeping me company at table.”

Schaunard bowed. “Really,” said he to himself, “this is a fine fellow—a very god-send.” “Will you order the dinner?” he asked his Amphitryon.

“You will oblige me by taking that trouble,” replied the other, politely.

“So much the worse for yon, my boy,” said the painter as he pitched down the stairs, four steps at a time. Marching up to the counter, he wrote out a bill of fare that made the Vatel of the establishment turn pale.