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Updated: July 2, 2025
"Good Casimir! a fellow of the lower order of intelligence, Jean-Marie, distinctly not creative, not poetic; and yet he will repay your study; his fortune is vast, and is entirely due to his own exertions. He is the very fellow to help us to dispose of our trinkets, find us a suitable house in Paris, and manage the details of our installation. Admirable Casimir, one of my oldest comrades!
I fear, however, that in her heart of hearts, madame kindly despised and pitied the boy. She had no admiration for his class of virtues; she liked a smart, polite, forward, roguish sort of boy, cap in hand, light of foot, meeting the eye; she liked volubility, charm, a little vice the promise of a second Doctor Desprez. And it was her indefeasible belief that Jean-Marie was dull.
'Yes, said the boy slowly; 'yes, I like it. 'And why do you like it? continued the Doctor. 'It is quiet, answered Jean-Marie; 'and I have nothing to do; and then I feel as if I were good. Doctor Desprez took a seat on the post at the opposite side. He was beginning to take an interest in the talk, for the boy plainly thought before he spoke, and tried to answer truly.
I fear, however, that in her heart of hearts madame kindly despised and pitied the boy. She had no admiration for his class of virtues; she liked a smart, polite, forward, roguish sort of boy, cap in hand, light of foot, meeting the eye; she liked volubility, charm, a little vice the promise of a second Doctor Desprez. And it was her indefeasible belief that Jean-Marie was dull.
By twelve they were all at table but Jean-Marie. 'Hey? said Casimir. 'Gone, you see. Took the hint at once. 'I do not, I confess, said Desprez, 'I do not seek to excuse his absence. It speaks a want of heart that disappoints me sorely. 'Want of manners, corrected Casimir. 'Heart, he never had. Why, Desprez, for a clever fellow, you are the most gullible mortal in creation.
It is quite true that a man may be a second father to you, and yet take too much to drink; but the best natures are ever slow to accept such truths. The Doctor thoroughly possessed his heart, but perhaps he exaggerated his influence over his mind. Certainly Jean-Marie adopted some of his master's opinions, but I have yet to learn that he ever surrendered one of his own.
A man who deals with money, my dear, is a man lost. With Jean-Marie the process of reconciliation had been somewhat slow.
"It appears you have a taste for feeling good," said the Doctor. "Now, there you puzzle me extremely; for I thought you said you were a thief; and the two are incompatible." "Is it very bad to steal?" asked Jean-Marie. "Such is the general opinion, little boy," replied the Doctor. "No; but I mean as I stole," explained the other. "For I had no choice.
He took a seat, rapped loudly on the table, assailed the waiter with witticisms; and when the bottle of Bass was at length produced, far more charged with gas than the most delirious champagne, he filled out a long glassful of froth and pushed it over to Jean-Marie. "Drink," he said; "drink deep." "I would rather not," faltered the boy, true to his training. "What?" thundered Desprez.
"Jean-Marie, if you prefer to leave me, now that I am poor, you can go; you shall receive your hundred francs, if so much remains to me. But if you will consent to stay" the Doctor wept a little "Casimir offers me a place as clerk," he resumed. "The emoluments are slender, but they will be enough for three. It is too much already to have lost my fortune; must I lose my son?"
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