"Come, your jealousy represents everything to you in the wrong light."
"That is all very fine, Benedetto mio, but I know what I am saying. Perhaps I may one day put on my best coat, and presenting myself at the great gate, introduce myself. Meanwhile let us sit down and eat." Caderousse set the example and attacked the breakfast with good appetite, praising each dish he set before his visitor. The latter seemed to have resigned himself; he drew the corks, and partook largely of the fish with the garlic and fat. "Ah, mate," said Caderousse, "you are getting on better terms with your old landlord!"
"Faith, yes," replied Andrea, whose hunger prevailed over every other feeling.
"So you like it, you rogue?"
"So much that I wonder how a man who can cook thus can complain of hard living."
"Do you see," said Caderousse, "all my happiness is marred by one thought?"
"What is that?"
"That I am dependent on another, I who have always gained my own livelihood honestly."
"Do not let that disturb you, I have enough for two."
"No, truly; you may believe me if you will; at the end of every month I am tormented by remorse."
"Good Caderousse!"
"So much so, that yesterday I would not take the two hundred francs."
"Yes, you wished to speak to me; but was it indeed remorse, tell me?"
"True remorse; and, besides, an idea had struck me." Andrea shuddered; he always did so at Caderousse's ideas. "It is miserable--do you see?--always to wait till the end of the month."--"Oh," said Andrea philosophically, determined to watch his companion narrowly, "does not life pass in waiting? Do I, for instance, fare better? Well, I wait patiently, do I not?"
"Yes; because instead of expecting two hundred wretched francs, you expect five or six thousand, perhaps ten, perhaps even twelve, for you take care not to let any one know the utmost. Down there, you always had little presents and Christmas-boxes which you tried to hide from your poor friend Caderousse. Fortunately he is a cunning fellow, that friend Caderousse."
"There you are beginning again to ramble, to talk again and again of the past! But what is the use of teasing me with going all over that again?"
"Ah, you are only one and twenty, and can forget the past; I am fifty, and am obliged to recollect it. But let us return to business."
"Yes."
"I was going to say, if I were in your place"-"Well."
"I would realize"-"How would you realize?"
"I would ask for six months' in advance, under pretence of being able to purchase a farm, then with my six months I would decamp."