1. A tall handsome fellow with a fair moustache was sipping a glass of brandy by the side of a short thin woman as yellow as a quince. 2. “The gentleman is so short,” said he, pointing to me, “that I mistook him at first for a pupil.” 3. Thereupon they began to speak in a low voice, casting sidelong glances at me. 4. Right at the back of the study a man was writing by the pale light of a lamp. 5. When he had finished his work, the headmaster turned to me. 6. “Why! this is a child!” he exclaimed; “what do they want me to do with a child?” 7. After reading the letter he told me that he consented to keep me, although he had fears as to my inexperience. 8. The main point is that the thing should be done at once. 9. I could have wished him to have had a thousand hands in order to kiss them all. 10. A man with red whiskers had just entered the room without anyone having heard him. 11. “If you stir, little scamp,” said he, “beware!” 12. I was wandering in the dark, trying to find my bearings, when I heard some one coming to meet me. 13. However powerful they may be, we do not fear them. 14. I continued to group along, but my heart was beating fast. 15. On the way I heard that that man, who looked a very good fellow, was a fencing-master. VIII (pp. 36—40) 1. We parted at the door with a good deal of hand-shaking. 2. Do you think that you will be able to carry out your plan all by yourself? 3. I immediately began to read the document in order to post myself up in my new duties. 4. The ushers had a right to half a bottle of wine at every meal. 5. I had scarcely gone to sleep when I woke up with a start. 6. When your colleagues come back, I will introduce you to them. 7. The tallest of them, the one I was going to replace, spoke first. 8. “By Jove!” he exclaimed cheerfully, “you may well say so” (_use the word ‘cas’_). 9. I would have given anything in the world to have been only a few inches taller. 10. “Never mind,” he added, stretching out his hand to me; “although we are not built to be measured by the same standard, we can all the same empty a few flasks together.” 11. I want you to be one of our party. 12. What struck you on entering was the number of shakos hanging on the pegs. 13. On the whole you have fallen on your feet in coming here; you will not be so badly off. 14. All my colleagues ruled their pupils with a rod of iron. 15. Little by little he felt less timid and soon rose with his glass in his hand. IX (pp. 41—45)