"Oh, but that is wrong, M. Rodolph,--very, very wrong!" said La Goualeuse, in a tone of such deep and grave remonstrance as made him smile. "You should always lay by something. Look at me: why, all my troubles and misfortunes have happened because I did not save my money more carefully. If once a person can get a hundred francs beforehand, he need never fear falling into any one's power; generally, a difficulty about money puts very evil thoughts into our head." "All that is very wise and very sensible, my frugal little friend; but a hundred francs!--that is a large sum; how could a man like myself ever amass so much?" "Why, M. Rodolph, it is really very easy, if you will but consider a little. First of all, I think you said you could earn five francs a day?" "Yes, so I can, when I choose to work." "Ah! but you should work, constantly and regularly; and yours is such a pretty trade. To paint fans! how nice such work must be,--mere amusement, quite a recreation! I cannot think why you should ever be tired or dull. Indeed, M. Rodolph, I must tell you plainly I do not pity you at all; and, besides, really you talk like a mere child when you say you cannot save money out of such large earnings," added La Goualeuse, in a sweet, but, for her, severe tone. "Why, a workman may live well upon three francs a day; there remain forty sous; at the end of a month, if you manage prudently, you will have saved sixty francs. Think of that! There's a sum!--sixty francs in one month!" "Oh, but one likes to show off sometimes, and to indulge in a little idleness." "There now, M. Rodolph, I declare you make me quite angry to hear you talk so childishly! Pray let me advise you to be wiser." "Come, then, my sage little monitress, I will be a good boy, and listen to all your careful advice. And your idea of saving, too, is a remarkably good one; I never thought of it before." "Really!" exclaimed the poor girl, clapping her hands with joy. "Oh, if you knew how delighted I am to hear you say so! Then you will begin from to-day to lay by the forty sous we were talking about, will you? Will you, indeed?" "I give you my honour that, from this very hour, I will resolve to follow up your most excellent plan, and save forty sous out of each day's pay." "Are you quite, quite sure you will?" "Nay, have I not promised you that I will?" "You will see how proud and happy you will be with your first savings; and that is not all--ah, if you would promise not to be angry!" "Do I look as though I could be so unkind, Fleur-de-Marie, as to find fault with anything you said?" "Oh, no, indeed, that you do not; only I hardly know whether I ought--" "You ought to tell me everything you think or feel, Fleur-de-Marie." "Well, then, I was wondering how _you_, who, it is easily seen, are above your condition, can frequent such low cabarets as that kept by the ogress."