It was the twelfth of June in the year 1785 that a group of scholars was
standing, during the recess hour, in a corner of the military school of
Paris.

They were all boys; but they assumed the manners and gave themselves the
airs of princes of the blood.

"Gentlemen," said one who seemed to be most prominent in the group, "I
have called you together on a most important matter. Tomorrow is old
Bauer's birthday. I propose that, as is our custom, we take some notice
of it. What do you say to giving him a little supper, in the name of the
school?"

"A good idea; a capital idea, d'Hebonville!" exclaimed most of the boys,
in ready acquiescence.

"A gluttonous idea, I call it; and an expensive one," said one upon the
outer edge of the circle, in a sharply critical tone. "Ah. our little
joker has a word to say," exclaimed one of the boys sarcastically,
drawing back, and pushing the speaker to the front; "hear him."

"Oh, now, Napoleon! don't object," young Alexander des Mazes said. "Did
you not hear why d'Hebonville proposed the supper? It is to honor the
German teacher's birthday."

"Oh, he heard it fast enough, des Mazes," rejoined d'Hebonville. "That
is what makes him so cross."

"Why do you say that?" Napoleon demanded.