"It cost me a good deal, M. Rudolph--I looked so eagerly for my Sunday excursions. I had a sorrowful heart, I tell you, to remain home all alone of a fine day; but never mind, I preferred rather to sacrifice my Sunday than to continue to hear M. Cabrion make fun of what I respected. Except for this, and the ideas attached to it, I would have preferred to give other names to my birds. There is, above all, one name I should have loved to adoration--Humming-Bird. Well, I cannot do it, because I never shall call my birds otherwise than Cretu and Ramonette; it would seem to me that I sacrificed them, that I forgot my kind adopted parents-wouldn't it, M. Rudolph?" "You are right-a thousand times right. Germain did not make fun of these names?" "On the contrary; only the first time it appeared droll to him, as to every one else--it is very simple; but when I explained my reasons, as I had explained them to M. Cabrion, the tears came into his eyes. From that day I said, `M. Germain has a kind heart; he has nothing against him but his sadness.' And do you see, M. Rudolph, that he has brought me misfortune to reproach him for his sadness. Then I did not comprehend how one could be sad. Now I comprehend it but too well. But now my work is finished, will you give me my shawl, neighbor It is not cold enough for a cloak, is it?" "We shall go in a carriage, and I will bring you back." "It is true, we shall go and return quicker; it will be so much time gained." "But, on reflection, how are you going to manage? Your work will suffer from your visit to the prisons?" "Oh no, no! I have laid my plans. In the first place, I have my Sundays; I will go and see Louise and Germain on these days--it will serve me for a walk and recreation; then, in the week, I shall go to the prison once or twice; each time will cost me three good hours a day. Well, to make up for this, I will work one hour more each day, and I will go to bed at twelve o'clock instead of eleven; that will give me a clear gain of seven or eight hours each week, which I can use in going to see Louise and Germain. You see, I am richer than I appear to be," added Rigolette, smiling. "And do you not fear this will fatigue you?" "Bah! I can do it--one can do anything; and, besides, it will not last forever." "Here is your shawl, neighbor. I shall not be so indiscreet as to bring my lips too close to this charming neck." "Oh, neighbor! take care, you prick me." "Come, the pin is crooked." "Well, take another--there, on the pincushion. Oh, I forget! Will you do me a favor, neighbor?" "Command, neighbor." "Make me a good pen, very coarse, so that I can, on my return, write to poor Germain that his commissions are executed. He shall have my letter to-morrow morning early." "And where are your pens?" "There, on the table; the knife is in the drawer. Stop, I am going to light my candle, for it grows quite dark." "I shall want it to mend the pen." "And, besides, I can't see to tie my bonnet."