"It was always easy to see that monsieur only amuses himself with his
painting."

"Thank you, Amedee," I responded. "I have amused other people with it
too, I fear."

"Oh, without doubt!" he agreed graciously, as he folded the cloth. I
have always tried to believe that it was not so much my pictures as the
fact that I paid my bills the day they were presented which convinced
everybody about Les Trois Pigeons that I was an amateur. But I never
became happily enough settled in this opinion to risk pressing an
investigation; and it was a relief that Amedee changed the subject.

"Monsieur remembers the Chateau de Quesnay--at the crest of the hill on
the road north of Dives?"

"I remember."

"It is occupied this season by some rich Americans."

"How do you know they are rich?"

"Dieu de Dieu!" The old fellow appealed to heaven. "But they are
Americans!"

"And therefore millionaires. Perfectly, Amedee."

"Perfectly, monsieur. Perhaps monsieur knows them."

"Yes, I know them."