"Do you hear, Alfred? Take monsieur for your model. Let his cane be your oriflamme! You will always find him on the path of glory!" As she spoke, Zizi had taken possession of Roncherolle's cane; she thrust it into a mustard pot on the table and waved cane and mustard pot in the air. Roncherolle sank on a chair, laughing till the tears came; but Saint-Arthur cried out, because she had spattered him with the mustard, which he had received in the eye and on his waistcoat. "_Sapristi!_ take care, Zizi; see what you've done; you're spattering mustard on my waistcoat." "What a calamity! Waistcoats can be cleaned, my friend." "But you have also thrown some into my eye!" "Eyes can be cleaned too." "It stings me horribly." "That will make your sight clearer; and perhaps you are going to see things you don't expect, which will dazzle you! So don't cry, but attend to the important business that brings us together--the grub! Have you given your order? I'm very hungry myself; and you, monsieur?" "I am well disposed to vie with you." "With a fork only?" "Ah! be careful; your eyes are the best remedy for the gout, I believe." "Oho! if I was sure of that, I'd apply for a patent for my eyes.--By the way, Frefred, what about that rare bird, that miraculous bird, you were to give me? When will he appear? Are we going to eat him roasted?" "I should think not! That would be a great shame, for he is magnificent. But I am perfecting his education; I'll give him to you when he is able to say pretty things." "I am sure that you are not teaching him anything at all." "Oh! ask my neighbor; he'll tell you that it was my cockatoo's education that led to our acquaintance." "That is the truth, _belle dame_; oh! you will possess a very knowing bird." "That will be a change for me, as I have never had anything but canaries.--Come, Frefred, is the dinner ordered? I am to act to-night, you know--in the last piece luckily. I don't go on till half-past ten, but I must have time to dress first; and when you have just dined and have to hurry, it swells you out and you can't get into your dresses." "The dinner is served; I am glad to believe, my diva, that you will be content." "I flatter myself that I shall be; besides, it's the first time you have entertained monsieur, and you ought to make it a point of honor to let him see that you have some skill in ordering a little Balthazar. Ring for the waiter, my dear boy." "But, you see, I--I asked Jericourt to come, and he promised." "Bah! I don't care a hang for your Jericourt, who always keeps us waiting. Why did you have to invite him? I've had my fill of your Jericourt for some time past! He puts on airs and calls everything detestable that others write. And sweet things his plays are, too! people stand in line to get tickets." "Why, Zizi, I thought it would please you; formerly you were never satisfied if Jericourt didn't dine with us."