"It is, that the honorable society which is poisoned with capitalists," said Pique-Vinaigre, assuming his mountebank twang, "will make for me the trifle of a contribution of twenty sous. Twenty sous, ladies and gents, to hear the famous Pique-Vinaigre, who has had the honor to perform before the most renowned robbers, before the most famous rogues, of France and Navarre, and who is immediately expected at Brest and at Toulon, where he goes by order of the government. Twenty sous! A mere nothing, gents." "Come, you shall have twenty sous when you have told your story." "After? No; before!" cried Pique-Vinaigre. "I say, do you think us capable of cheating you out of twenty sous?" said Skeleton, with a displeased air. "Not at all," answered Pique-Vinaigre; "I honor the family with my confidence, and it is to spare its purse that I ask twenty sous in advance." "On your word of honor?" "Yes, gents; for after my tale is finished, you will be so satisfied that it is no longer twenty sous, but twenty francs--a hundred francs that you will force me to take! I know, myself, I should have the _meanness_ to accept the offering; so, you see, that for economy's sake, you will do better to give me twenty sous in advance." "Oh! you are not wanting in soft-sawder." "I have nothing but my tongue; I must use it; and, then, the point of the matter is that my sister and her children are in Queer Street, and twenty sous is an out-and-out _friendly call_." "Why does she not toddle out on the prigging lay; and her kids also, if they are old enough?" said Nicholas. "Do not speak of it; it wounds me, it dishonors me. I am too good." "You had better say too stupid, since you encourage her." "It is true, I encourage her in the vice of honesty. But she is only good for that trade--she makes me pity her. Come, is it agreed? I will relate to you my famous history of 'Gringalet', but I must have my twenty sous; and Barbillon will not seek a quarrel with that softy, Germain." "You shall have your twenty sous, and Barbillon will not pick a quarrel with Germain," said Skeleton. "Then open your ears, for you are going to hear something choice. But here is the rain, which sends in the audience; there will be no need to go after them."