Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/183

seventy-five, sixty, and twenty-seven. That makes altogether—?”

“A hundred and sixty-two francs,” said Monsieur Benoît, presenting the three bills.

“A hundred and sixty-two francs,” observed Rodolphe, “it is extraordinary. What a fine thing arithmetic is. Well, Monsieur Benoît, now that the account is settled we can both rest easy, we know exactly how we stand. Next month I will ask you for a receipt, and as during this time the confidence and friendship you must entertain towards me can only increase, you can, in case it should become necessary, grant me a further delay. However, if the landlord and the bootmaker are inclined to be hasty, I would ask the friend to get them to listen to reason. It is extraordinary, Monsieur Benoît, but every time I think of your triple character as a landlord, a bootmaker, and a friend, I am tempted to believe in the Trinity.”

Whilst listening to Rodolphe the landlord had turned at one and the same time red, green, white, and yellow, and at each fresh jest from his lodger that rainbow of anger grew deeper and deeper upon his face.

“Sir,” said he, “I do not like to be made game of. I have waited long enough. I give you notice to quit, and unless you let me have some money this evening, I know what I shall have to do.”

“Money! money! Am I asking you for money!” said Rodolphe. “Besides, if I had any, I should not give it you. On a Friday, it would be unlucky.”

Monsieur Benoît’s wrath grew tempestuous, and if the furniture had not belonged to him he would no doubt have smashed some of it.

However, he went out muttering threats.

“You are forgetting your bag,” cried Rodolphe after him. “What a business,” murmured the young fellow, as