"We can talk just as well with our mouths full."

"A thousand times better," said the office-boy.

Chalamel was carving the turkey, and he said to the principal clerk: "What
reason have you for thinking that the governor is crazy?"

"We were inclined to think that he had become perfectly stupid, when he
agreed to give us forty sous per head for our daily breakfast."

"I confess that I was as much surprised as you are, gentlemen; but it is a
trifle, actually a trifle, compared with what has just occurred."

"You don't say so!" said another.

"Is the notary crazy enough to invite us to dine every day, at his expense,
at the Cadran-Bleu?"

"And give us tickets to the play, after dinner?"

"And after that, take us to the _cafe_, to round off with punch?"

"And after that a la--"

"Gentlemen, just as far as you please; but the scene which I have just
observed is more frightful than funny."

"Give us the scene, I beg of you."