the impertinent, the lazy, the greedy, the merry-man, the lout.
There was not one of these epithets which did not bring me a smile,
a caress, a tap on the shoulder, a cuff, a kick; at table, a titbit
tossed on to my plate; away from the table, a freedom that I took
without consequences, for, do you see, I am a man without
consequence. They do with me and before me and at me whatever they
like, without my standing on any ceremony. And the little presents
that showered on me! The great hound that I am, I have lost all! I
have lost all for having had common sense once, one single time in
my life. Ah! if that ever chances again!

_I._--What was the matter, then?

_He._--Rameau, Rameau, did they ever take you for that? The folly
of having had a little taste, a trifle of wit, a spice of reason;
Rameau, my friend, that will teach you the difference between what
God made you, and what your protectors wanted you to be. So they
took you by the shoulder, they led you to the door, and cried: "Be
off, rascal; never appear more. He would fain have sense, reason,
wit, I declare! Off with you; we have all these qualities and to
spare!" You went away biting your thumb; it was your infernal
tongue, that you ought to have bitten before all this. For not
bethinking you of that, here you are in the gutter without a
farthing, or a place to lay your head. You were well housed, and
now you will be lucky if you get your garret again; you had a good
bed, and now a truss of straw awaits you between M. de Soubise's
coachman and friend Robbe. Instead of the gentle quiet slumber that
you had, you will have the neighing and stamping of horses all
night long--you wretch, idiot, possessed by a million devils!

_I._--But is there no way of setting things straight? Is the fault
you committed so unpardonable? If I were you, I should go find my
people again. You are more indispensable to them than you suppose.

_He._--Oh, as for that, I know that now they have me no longer to
make fun for them, they are dull as ditch-water.

_I._--Then I should go back: I would not give them time enough to
learn how to get on without me, or to turn to some more decent
amusement. For who knows what may happen?

_He._--That is not what I am afraid of: that will never come to
pass.

_I