"Why?"

"Well, I heard the day before yesterday Etienne and Co. had made their
payments in gold."

"Oh, oh!" said the draper. "Well, one must be very ill to show one's
bile. Let us speak of something else.--Joseph, the stock-taking is
done."

"Yes, monsieur, and the dividend is one of the best you have ever
made."

"Do not use new-fangled words. Say the profits, Joseph. Do you know,
my boy, that this result is partly owing to you? And I do not intend
to pay you a salary any longer. Madame Guillaume has suggested to me
to take you into partnership.--'Guillaume and Lebas;' will not that
make a good business name? We might add, 'and Co.' to round off the
firm's signature."

Tears rose to the eyes of Joseph Lebas, who tried to hide them.

"Oh, Monsieur Guillaume, how have I deserved such kindness? I only do
my duty. It was so much already that you should take an interest in a
poor orph----"

He was brushing the cuff of his left sleeve with his right hand, and
dared not look at the old man, who smiled as he thought that this
modest young fellow no doubt needed, as he had needed once on a time,
some encouragement to complete his explanation.