"No, no,--don't call me monsieur! say 'my dear friend,' or 'neighbour,' whichever you prefer; unless you lay aside all ceremony, I shall not have courage to intrude myself and papers into your room," said Rodolph, smiling. "Well, pray don't let that be any hindrance; then, if you like, I'll call you 'neighbour,' because, you know, you are so." "Father! father!" said one of Morel's little boys, coming out of the garret, "mother is calling for you! Make haste, father,--pray do!" The lapidary hastily followed the child back to his chamber. "Now, then, neighbour," said Rodolph to Rigolette, "you must do me one more service." "With all my heart, if it lies in my power to do so." "I feel quite sure you are a clever manager and housekeeper; now we must go to work at once to provide the Morels with comfortable clothing, and such matters as may be essential for their accommodation in my apartment, which at present merely contains my slender stock of bachelor's furniture, sent in yesterday. Beds, bedding, and a great quantity of requisites will be needed for so many persons; and I want you to assist me in procuring them all the comforts I wish them to have with as little delay as possible." Rigolette reflected a moment, and then replied: "You shall have all this before two hours have passed: good clothes, nicely made, warm and comfortable, good white linen for all the family, two small beds for the children, one for the grandmother, and, in fact, all that is required; but, I can tell you, all this will cost a great, great deal of money." "_Diable!_ and how much?" "Oh, at least--the very least, five or six hundred francs." "For everything?" "Yes; you see it is a great sum of money," said Rigolette, opening her eyes very wide and shaking her head. "But we could procure all this?" "Within two hours." "My little neighbour, you must be a fairy!" "Oh, no! it is easy enough. The Temple is but two steps from here, and you will get there everything you require." "The Temple?" "Yes, the Temple." "What place is that?" "What, neighbour, don't you know the Temple?" "No, neighbour." "Yet it is the place where such persons as you and I fit themselves out in furniture and clothes, when they are economical. It is much cheaper than any other place, and the things are also good." "Really!" "I think so. Well, now, I suppose--how much did you pay for your greatcoat?" "I cannot say precisely." "What, neighbour! not know how much you gave for your greatcoat?" "I will tell you, in confidence, neighbour," said Rodolph, smiling, "that I owe for it; so, you see, I cannot exactly say." "Oh, neighbour, neighbour, you do not appear to me to be very orderly in your habits!" "Alas, neighbour, I fear not!"