Hence his approval, in the present instance, was so
remarkable that it awakened Chupin's suspicions. "I shall make a
few sous, probably," he modestly replied, "a trifle to aid my good
mother in keeping the pot boiling."
"So much the better, my boy," said M. Fortunat. "I like to see
money gained by those who make a good use of it. And to prove
this, I'm about to employ you in an affair which will pay you
handsomely if you prosecute it successfully."
Chupin's eyes brightened at first but grew dark a moment
afterward, for delight had been quickly followed by a feeling of
distrust. He thought it exceedingly strange that an employer
should take the trouble to climb to a sixth floor merely for the
purpose of conferring a favor on his clerk. There must be
something behind all this; and so it behove him to keep his eyes
open. However, he knew how to conceal his real feelings; and it
was with a joyous air that he exclaimed: "Eh! What? Money? Now?
What must I do to earn it?"
"Oh! a mere trifle," replied the agent; "almost nothing, indeed."
And drawing his chair nearer to the bed on which his employee was
seated, he added: "But first, one question, Victor. By the way in
which a woman looks at a young man in the street, at the theatre
or anywhere--would you know if she were watching her son?"
Chupin shrugged his shoulders. "What a question!" he retorted.
"Nonsense! monsieur, it would be impossible to deceive me.
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