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can legally take it away, and if it were possible I would even take it away illegally.”

“So that,” continued Marcel, “you have furniture and no lodging, and I have a lodging and no furniture.”

“That is the position,” observed Schaunard.

“This lodging suits me,” said Marcel.

“And for my part it has never suited me better,” said Schaunard.

“Well then, we can settle this business,” resumed Marcel; “stay with me, I will supply house-room, and you shall supply the furniture.”

“And the rent?” said Schaunard.

“Since I have some money just now I will pay it, it will be your turn next time. Think about it.”

“I never think about anything, above all about accepting a suggestion which suits me. Carried unanimously; in point of fact, Painting and Music are sisters.”

“Sisters-in-law,” observed Marcel.

At that moment Colline and Rodolphe, who had met one another, came in.

Marcel and Schaunard informed them of their partnership.

“Gentlemen,” said Rodolphe, tapping his waistcoat pocket, “I am ready to stand dinner all round.”

“That is just what I was going to have the honor of proposing,” said Colline, taking out a gold coin which he stuck in his eye like a glass. “My prince gave me this to buy an Arabic grammar, which I have just paid six sous ready cash for.”

“I,” said Rodolphe, “have got the cashier of the ‘Scarf of Iris’ to advance me thirty francs under the pretext that I wanted it to get vaccinated.”

“It is a general pay-day then?” said Schaunard; “there