"Then, monsieur, why did you pretend at first that you were ready to pay me?" Balloquet buried himself under the bedclothes, with a horrible grimace. I closed the closet door so that we could no longer hear the squirrel, whose efforts thenceforth were of no avail. Madame Philocome settled herself comfortably in her chair, saying: "I'm very sorry, monsieur, but I want my money. You must have some, judging from that silvery tinkle in your safe. I refuse to be so good-natured as the others you have got rid of by this means. You must pay me; I won't go away until you do." "Then you'll stay here a long while, madame." "It's all the same to me, monsieur; I'm in no hurry." Balloquet angrily rolled himself up in his bedclothes. I seated myself beside the hearth, curious to see how it would end. Madame Philocome stared for a while at the centre-piece on the ceiling, then took a book from the shelves. If she began to read, the situation might be prolonged indefinitely. After some time, Balloquet broke the silence by groaning as if he were in pain; I rose and went to the bedside. "My friend," he said, with a wink that I understood, "is my face red in spots?" "Why, yes--you have some blotches." "Are the whites of my eyes yellow?" "Very yellow!" "The devil! Be kind enough to look at my tongue and tell me if there are any little swellings on it?" He put out his tongue, and I exclaimed after examining it: "It's covered with them!" "Damnation! Then it must be that; I can't fool myself any longer. I know now what my trouble is. However, I can take care of myself." "Why, what is your trouble?" "Pardieu! I am going to have the smallpox, that's all! However, I have been vaccinated!" Balloquet had not finished speaking, when Madame Philocome threw down her book, sprang abruptly to her feet, and rushed from the room, crying: "Adieu, doctor! you can pay me later; when you please!" "But, Madame Philocome, if you would rather wait for my key, I'll send to Rouen." It was unnecessary to say more; we heard the outer door open and close with a bang, and Madame Philocome scrambling down the stairs. Then Balloquet looked at me and roared with laughter, in which I joined. We were still laughing, I am sure, when the old coquette was a long way from the house. XXVII A CONSULTATION "What do you think of my second method, Rochebrune?" "Excellent; indeed, I think that it's better than the other, for it requires less preparation." "That depends. We have creditors who will defy smallpox, yellow fever--aye, the plague itself. But I must get up and liberate my squirrel, and return your ten francs." "I will take back the ten francs, which would be of no great use to you; but if you would like this five-hundred-franc note, which I put in my pocket with a view to settling with my tailor, why, don't hesitate to say so; I shall be glad to do you a service." Balloquet forgot that he was in his shirt; he leaped on my neck, crying: