rollicking eyes. At times he was not easy to please, but if he took a
liking, he was for joking at once. He approved of Parpon, and never lost
a chance of sharpening his humour on the dwarf's impish whetstone of a
tongue.

"Lord! Lord!" he cried, with feigned awe, getting to his feet at sight
of the two. Then, to his comrades, "Children, children, off with your
hats! Here is Monsieur Talleyrand, if I'm not mistaken. On to your
feet, mealman, and dust your stomach. Lajeunesse, wipe your face with
your leather. Duck your heads, stupids!"

With mock solemnity the three greeted Parpon and Lagroin. The old
sergeant's face flushed, and his hand dropped to his sword; but he had
promised Parpon to say nothing till he got his cue, and he would keep his
word. So he disposed himself in an attitude of martial attention. The
dwarf bowed to the others with a face of as great gravity as the
charcoalman's, and waving his hand, said:

"Keep your seats, my children, and God be with you. You are right,
smutty-face; I am Monsieur Talleyrand, Minister of the Crown."

"The devil, you say!" cried the mealman.

"Tut, tut!" said Lajeunesse, chaffing; "haven't you heard the news?
The devil is dead!"

The dwarf's hand went into his pocket. "My poor orphan," said he,
trotting over and thrusting some silver into the blacksmith's pocket,
"I see he hasn't left you well off. Accept my humble gift."