"Yes, I'll go with pleasure, but your friend must go, too. Is he
a man? Then let him come, and we'll settle this outside." And
seeing that they were again trying to seize him: "Hands off!" he
thundered, "or I'll strike. You were not obliged to invite me
here. It isn't my business to furnish amusement to parties who've
drunk too much wine. And why should you despise me? It's true I
haven't any money while you have plenty--that I work and you
carouse. Still that's no reason why you should scorn me.
Besides, those who are poor in the morning are sometimes rich in
the evening. Every dog has his day. I have an idea that I shall
have some coin when yours is all gone. Then it will be my turn to
laugh; and as I'm a good-natured fellow, I will give you my half-
smoked cigars."
M. Wilkie seemed delighted. He had climbed on to the piano and
seated himself, with his feet on the keyboard; and there, as on a
judgment seat, he listened and applauded, alternately taking
Chupin's part, and then the viscount's. "Bravo, gamin!" or, "Give
it to him, Coralth!" he shouted in turn.
This irritated the viscount exceedingly. "I see that we shall be
obliged to call in the police to settle the affair," he said,
sneeringly.
"The police!" roared Chupin. "Ah! that won't do, you scamp--" But
his voice died away in his throat, and he stood motionless,
speechless, with his arm raised as if he were about to strike, and
his eyes dilated with astonishment.
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