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Updated: June 17, 2025
As soon as she saw Patissot, Octavie, who was leaning on the tanned arm of a strapping fellow who probably had more muscle than brains, whispered a few words in his ears. He answered: "That's an agreement." She returned to the clerk full of joy, her eyes sparkling, almost caressing. "Let's go for a row," said she. Pleased to see her so charming, he gave in to this new whim and procured a boat.
At last they stopped, and Monsieur Patissot, judging his neighbor to be a man of initiative, consulted him about the preparations which he expected to make: "Lanterns and flags are all right," said Patissot; "but I prefer something better." The other thought for a long time, but found nothing. Then, in despair, the clerk bought three flags and four lanterns.
However, he baited the line, which Patissot then threw out, carefully imitating all the motions of his friend. The boat was tossing wildly, shaken by the waves, and spun round like a top by the current, although anchored at both ends. Patissot, absorbed in the sport, felt a vague kind of uneasiness; he was uncomfortably heavy and somewhat dizzy. They caught nothing.
Before the stores stacks of flags were resplendent under the rising sun. Patissot turned to his neighbor. "It is going to be a fine celebration," he said. The gentleman looked at him sideways and answered in a haughty manner: "That makes no difference to me!" "You are not going to take part in it?" asked the surprised clerk.
Thus, in politics, here is M. de Sombreterre, who is a Legitimist; M. Vallin, an Orleanist; M. Patissot and myself, Republicans; we all have very different principles, and yet we agree very well because we have them." But M. Rade exclaimed: "I also have principles, gentlemen, very distinct ones." M. Patissot raised his head and coldly asked: "It would please me greatly to know them, monsieur."
Patissot, who was still awaiting the hoped-for tenderness, tried in vain to retain her. Then she grew angry, exclaiming: "I am not here for a dull time, am I?" He had to take her to the Petit-Havre restaurant, which was near the place where the regatta was to be held. She ordered an endless luncheon, a succession of dishes substantial enough to feed a regiment.
After the first attack had calmed down, he proposed leaving, but Boivin grew so furious that they almost came to blows. The fat man, moved by pity, rowed the boat back, and, as soon as Patissot had recovered from his seasickness, they bethought themselves of luncheon. Two restaurants presented themselves.
They took the train at the station of Villaines, and, on the way home, Patissot loudly mentioned the names of the famous painter and of the great novelist as though they were his friends. He even allowed people to think that he had taken luncheon with one and dinner with the other.
I'll introduce you to two celebrities. We will visit the homes of two artists." "But I have been ordered to go to the country!" "That's just where we'll go. On the way we'll call on Meissonier, at his place in Poissy; then we'll walk over to Medan, where Zola lives. I have been commissioned to obtain his next novel for our newspaper." Patissot, wild with joy, accepted the invitation.
He showed him the garment. It did not correspond with the glowing style of the advertisement. Then Patissot hesitatingly asked, "Well, monsieur, will it wear well?"
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