Whenever his new friend mentioned his cane, Monsieur Courbichon made a wry face, but he did not venture to make any complaint. They proceeded to dine: one, talking constantly as he ate; the other, eating almost without speaking; and, although Cherami had informed his host that they would dine like sensible men, when the bill was brought, it amounted to twenty-two francs. "That is not too much," said Cherami, passing the check to his companion; "for we have had a good dinner and punished our three bottles." The little bald man seemed to be of a different opinion; he turned the paper over and over in his hand, muttering: "Twenty-two francs! twenty-two francs!" "Well, my good Courbichon, that won't drain the sea dry! How many times I have spent ten times as much on a dainty dinner, tete-a-tete with a pretty woman! To be sure, we used to have all the delicacies of the season--asparagus at thirty francs the bunch, strawberries at fifteen francs, pineapples, wine of Constance.--The women adore that wine! they delight in getting tipsy on Constance--in the bottle!--Have you ever indulged in that sort of affair, amiable Courbichon? Oh! you must have done it, many a time! That's where you lost your hair; eh, old boy?" "Twenty-two francs! twenty-two francs!" "Those figures seem to worry you! Do you find a mistake in the addition?" "No, it isn't that; but I am afraid I haven't enough money with me. I paid quite a large amount at the cafe, this morning. I didn't expect to spend so much to-day. Would you be kind enough to lend me what I need?" "I would do so with the most lively satisfaction, my estimable friend; but, as I was feeling in my pocket just now, I discovered that I have forgotten my purse; which, by the way, happens quite often, for I am very absent-minded. I may add that, when I made that discovery, I intended to borrow a few francs of you--as is often done between good friends; for what's the use of friendship, if not to oblige? O divine friendship! gift of the gods!" "Mon Dieu! what are we going to do, if we haven't enough money between us to pay for our dinner?" "Don't you be alarmed! I have found myself in that position more than once. You can leave your cane in pawn." "My cane! When it was whole, that might have been--but now I can only offer some pieces of a cane as a pledge." "Then leave your watch, my friend." "I haven't worn it since my last one was stolen." "But don't worry! They will give us credit on our respectable appearance." "Let me see; with every sou I can find---- Search your pockets, too." "Oh! that's useless; I never carry money loose in my pockets. I have my purse, or I haven't it." Monsieur Courbichon, having collected all that he had in his pockets, could find only twelve francs and two sous. But suddenly, upon renewing his search, he produced something carefully wrapped in paper, and that something proved to be a gold piece of ten francs. The bald man's face lightened.