for it.

_He._--Uncommonly clever; oh no! For my trade, I know it decently,
and that is more than one wants; for in this country is one obliged
to know all that one shows?

_I._--No more than to know all that one teaches.

_He._--That is true, most thoroughly true. Now, sir philosopher,
your hand on your conscience, speak the truth; there was a time
when you were not a man of such substance as you are to-day.

_I._--I am not so very substantial even now.

_He._--But you would not go now to the Luxembourg in
summer-time.... You remember?

_I._--No more of that. Yes, I do remember.

_He._--In an overcoat of gray shag?

_I._--Ay, ay.

_He._--Terribly worn at one side, with one of the sleeves torn; and
black woollen stockings mended at the back with white thread.

_I._--Yes, anything you like.

_He._--What were you doing in the alley of Sighs?

_I._--Cutting a shabby figure enough, I daresay.

_He._--You used to give lessons in mathematics?

_I._--Without knowing a word about them. Is not that what you want
to come to?

_He._--Exactly so.

_I._--I learnt by teaching others, and I turned out some good
pupils.

_He_--That may be; but music is not like algebra or geometry. Now
that you are a substantial personage....

_I._--Not so substantial, I tell you.

_He._--And have a good lining to your purse....

_I._--Not so good.

_He._--Let your daughter have masters.

_I._--Not yet; it is her mother who looks to her education, for one
must have peace in one's house.

_He._--Peace in one's house? You have only that, when you are
either master or servant, and it should be master. I had a
wife--may heaven bless her soul--but when it happened sometimes
that she played malapert, I used to mount the high horse, and bring
out my thunder. I used to say like the Creator: Let there be light,
and there was light. So for four years we had not ten times in all
one word higher than another. How old is your child?

_I._--That has nothing to do with the matter.

_He._--How old is your child, I say?

_I._--The devil take you, leave my child and her age alone, and
return to the master she is to have.

_He._--I know nothing so pig-headed as a philosopher. In all
humility and supplication, migh