"'What, are you going off in weather like this, boys?'

"'Do you think,' says the old sport, 'that we're going to spoil your
stay with your wife?'

"'But, my good man--'

"'But me no buts. It's nine o'clock, and you've got to take your
hook before day. So good-night. Coming, you others?'

"'Rather,' say the boys. 'Good-night all.'

"There they are at the door and opening it. Mariette and me, we look
at each other--but we don't move. Once more we look at each other,
and then we sprang at them. I grabbed the skirt of a coat and she a
belt--all wet enough to wring out.

"'Never! We won't let you go--it can't be done.'

"'But--'

"'But me no buts,' I reply, while she locks the door."

"Then what?" asked Lamuse.

"Then? Nothing at all," replied Eudore. "We just stayed like that,
very discreetly--all the night--sitting, propped up in the corners,
yawning--like the watchers over a dead man. We made a bit of talk at
first. From time to time some one said, 'Is it still raining?' and