not be for the same reason. I asked my Rouenese why he and his
compatriots were ill-disposed to me; I had never said anything
evil of apple sugar, I had treated M. Barbet with respect during
his entire term as mayor, and, when a delegate from the Society
of Letters at the unveiling of the statue of the great Corneille,
I was the only one who thought to bow to him before beginning my
speech. There was nothing in that which could have reasonably
incurred the hatred of the Rouenese.

Therefore to this haughty reply, "We hiss you because we have
a grudge against you," I asked humbly:

"But, great Heavens! why are you down on me?"

"Oh, you know very well," replied my Rouenese.

"I?" I exclaimed.

"Yes, you."

"Well, never mind; pretend I do not know."

"You remember the dinner the city gave you, in connection with
that statue of Corneille?"

"Perfectly. Were they annoyed because I did not return it?"

"No, it is not that."

"What is it then?"