Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/110

“Claret! who’s to pay for it?”

“Probably not I,” said Schaunard, “but an uncle of mine that you will find up there, a very good judge. So, do your best, and let us have dinner in half an hour, served on porcelain.”

At eight o’clock Monsieur Blancheron felt the necessity of pouring into a friend’s ear his idea on the sugar-question, and accordingly recited his pamphlet to Schaunard, who accompanied him on the piano.

At ten, they danced the galop together.

At eleven, they swore never to separate, and to make wills in each other’s favor.

At twelve, Marcel returned, and found them locked in a mutual embrace, and dissolved in tears. The floor was half an inch deep in fluid—either from that cause or the liquor that had been spilt. He stumbled against the table, and remarked the splendid relics of the sumptuous feast. He tried the bottles; they were utterly empty. He attempted to rouse Schaunard; but the latter menaced him with speedy death, if he tore him from his friend Blancheron, of whom he was making a pillow.

“Ungrateful wretch!” said Marcel, taking out of his pocket a handful of nuts; “when I had brought him some dinner!”