Part 6 (2/2)
”Well, Doctor,” said Israel, ”since exactness in these matters is so necessary, let me pay back my debt in the very coins in which it was loaned. There will be no chance of mistake then. Thanks to my Brentford friends, I have enough to spare of my own, to settle damages with the boot-black of the bridge. I only took the money from you, because I thought it would not look well to push it back after being so kindly offered.”
”My honest friend,” said the Doctor, ”I like your straightforward dealing. I will receive back the money.”
”No interest, Doctor, I hope,” said Israel.
The sage looked mildly over his spectacles upon Israel and replied: ”My good friend, never permit yourself to be jocose upon pecuniary matters.
Never joke at funerals, or during business transactions. The affair between us two, you perhaps deem very trivial, but trifles may involve momentous principles. But no more at present. You had better go immediately and find the boot-black. Having settled with him, return hither, and you will find a room ready for you near this, where you will stay during your sojourn in Paris.”
”But I thought I would like to have a little look round the town, before I go back to England,” said Israel.
”Business before pleasure, my friend. You must absolutely remain in your room, just as if you were my prisoner, until you quit Paris for Calais.
Not knowing now at what instant I shall want you to start, your keeping to your room is indispensable. But when you come back from Brentford again, then, if nothing happens, you will have a chance to survey this celebrated capital ere taking s.h.i.+p for America. Now go directly, and pay the boot-black. Stop, have you the exact change ready? Don't be taking out all your money in the open street.”
”Doctor,” said Israel, ”I am not so simple.”
”But you knocked over the box.”
”That, Doctor, was bravery.”
”Bravery in a poor cause, is the height of simplicity, my friend.--Count out your change. It must be French coin, not English, that you are to pay the man with.--Ah, that will do--those three coins will be enough.
Put them in a pocket separate from your other cash. Now go, and hasten to the bridge.”
”Shall I stop to take a meal anywhere, Doctor, as I return? I saw several cookshops as I came hither.”
”Cafes and restaurants, they are called here, my honest friend. Tell me, are you the possessor of a liberal fortune?”
”Not very liberal,” said Israel.
”I thought as much. Where little wine is drunk, it is good to dine out occasionally at a friend's; but where a poor man dines out at his own charge, it is bad policy. Never dine out that way, when you can dine in.
Do not stop on the way at all, my honest friend, but come directly back hither, and you shall dine at home, free of cost, with me.”
”Thank you very kindly, Doctor.”
And Israel departed for the Pont Neuf. Succeeding in his errand thither, he returned to Dr. Franklin, and found that worthy envoy waiting his attendance at a meal, which, according to the Doctor's custom, had been sent from a neighboring restaurant. There were two covers; and without attendance the host and guest sat down. There was only one princ.i.p.al dish, lamb boiled with green peas. Bread and potatoes made up the rest.
A decanter-like bottle of uncolored gla.s.s, filled with some uncolored beverage, stood at the venerable envoy's elbow.
”Let me fill your gla.s.s,” said the sage.
”It's white wine, ain't it?” said Israel.
”White wine of the very oldest brand; I drink your health in it, my honest friend.”
”Why, it's plain water,” said Israel, now tasting it.
”Plain water is a very good drink for plain men,” replied the wise man.
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