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Fruitfulness by Émile Zola
page 51 of 561 (09%)
Then, on catching sight of Mathieu, he began to apologize, evincing much
politeness and striving to accentuate his air of frigid distinction. When
the young man, whom he called his amiable tenant, had acquainted him with
the motive of his visit--the leak in the zinc roof of the little pavilion
at Janville--he at once consented to let the local plumber do any
necessary soldering. But when, after fresh explanations, he understood
that the roofing was so worn and damaged that it required to be changed
entirely, he suddenly departed from his lofty affability and began to
protest, declaring that he could not possibly expend in such repairs a
sum which would exceed the whole annual rental of six hundred francs.

"Some soldering," he repeated; "some soldering; it's understood. I will
write to the plumber." And wishing to change the subject he added: "Oh!
wait a moment, Monsieur Froment. You are a man of taste, I know, and I
want to show you a marvel."

He really had some esteem for Mathieu, for he knew that the young fellow
possessed a quick appreciative mind. Mathieu began to smile, outwardly
yielding to this attempt to create a diversion, but determined at heart
that he would not leave the place until he had obtained the promise of a
new roof. He took hold of a book, clad in a marvellous binding, which
Seguin had fetched from a bookcase and tendered with religious care. On
the cover of soft snow-white leather was incrusted a long silver lily,
intersected by a tuft of big violet thistles. The title of the work,
"Beauty Imperishable," was engraved up above, as in a corner of the sky.

"Ah! what a delightful conception, what delightful coloring!" declared
Mathieu, who was really charmed. "Some bindings nowadays are perfect
gems." Then he noticed the title: "Why, it's Monsieur Santerre's last
novel!" said he.
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