15Beaumarchef, when Mascarin called a general meeting of his associates,was in the habit of assuming his very best attire; for as he was oftencalled into the inner office to answer questions, he was muchimpressed with the importance of the occasion. This time, however, thesubordinate, although he had received due notice of the meeting, wasstill in his every-day dress. This discomposed him a good deal, thoughhe kept muttering to himself that he meant no disrespect by it. Earlyin the morning he had been compelled to make up the accounts of twocooks, who, having obtained situations, were leaving the servants'

lodging-house. When this matter was completed, he had hoped for halfan hour's leisure. As he was crossing the courtyard, however, he fellin with Toto Chupin bringing in his daily report, which Beaumarchefthought would be what it usually was--a mere matter of form. He was,however, much mistaken; for though outwardly Toto was the same, yethis ideas had taken an entirely new direction; and when Beaumarchefurged him to look sharp, the request was received with a great deal ofsullenness.

"I ain't lost no time," said he, "and have fished up a thing or twofresh; but before saying a word--"He stopped, and seemed a little confused.

"Well, go on.""I want a fresh arrangement."Beaumarchef was staggered.

"Arrangement!" he echoed.

"Of course you can lump it if yer don't like it," said the boy. "Doyou think as how I'm going to work like a horse, and not get a wink ofsleep, just for a 'thank ye, Chupin?' No fear. I'm worth a sight morenor that."Beaumarchef flew into a rage.

"Then you are not worth a pinch of salt," said he.

"All right, my cove.""And you are an ungrateful young villain to talk like this after allthe kindness your master has shown you."Chupin gave a sarcastic laugh.

"Goodness!" cried he. "To hear you go on, one would think that theboss had ruined himself for my sake.""He took you out of the streets, and has given you a room ever since.""A room, do you say? I call it a dog kennel.""You have your breakfast and dinner every day regularly.""I know that, and half a bottle of wine at each meal, which has somuch water in it that it cannot even stain the tablecloth.""You are an ungrateful young hound," exclaimed Beaumarchef, "andforget that, in addition to this, he has set you up in business as ahot chestnut seller.""Good old business! I am allowed to stand all day under the gateway,roasted on one side, and frozen on the other, and gain, perhaps twentysous.""You know that in summer he has promised to set you up in the friedpotato line.""Thank ye for nothing; I don't like the smell of grease.""What is it you want, then?""Nothing. I feels that I ought to be a gentleman at large."Beaumarchef cast a furious glance at the shameless youth, and told himthat he would report everything to his master. The boy, however, didnot seem to care a pin.

"I intends to see Master Mascarin myself presently," remarked Chupin.

"You are an idiot.""Why so? Do you think I didn't live better before I had anything to dowith this blooming old cove? I never worked then. I used to sing infront of the pubs, and easily made my three francs a day. My pal and Isoon check 'em though, and then off we went to the theatre. Sometimeswe'd make tracks for Ivry, and take our doss in a deserted factory,into which the crushers never put their noses. In the winter we usedto go to the glass houses and sleep in the warm ashes. All these weregood times, while now--""Well, what have you to grumble at now? Don't I hand you a five-francpiece every day that you are at work?""But that ain't good enough. Come, don't get shirty; all I asks is arise of salary. Only say either Yes or No; and if you say No, why, Isends in my resignation."Beaumarchef would have given a five-franc piece out of his own pocketfor Mascarin to have heard the boy's impertinence.

"You are a young rascal!" said he, "and keep the worst of company.

There is no use in denying it, for a hang-dog fellow, calling himselfPolyte, has been here asking after you.""My company ain't any business of yours.""Well, I give you warning, you will come to grief.""How?" returned Toto Chupin sulkily. "How can I come to grief? If oldMascarin interferes, I'll shut up his mouth pretty sharp. I wish youand your master wouldn't poke their noses into my affairs. I'm sick ofyou both. Don't you think I'm up to you? When you make me follow someone for a week at a time, it isn't to do 'em a kindness, I reckon. Ifthings turn out badly, I've only to go before a beak and speak up; Ishould get off easily enough then; and if I do so, you will be sorryfor not having given me more than my five francs a day."Beaumarchef was an old soldier and a bold man, but he was easilyupset, for the lad's insolence made him believe that he was utteringwords that had been put in his mouth by some wily adviser; and notknowing how to act, the ex-soldier thought it best to adopt a moreconciliating demeanor.

"How much do you want?" asked he.

"Well, seven francs to start with.""The deuce you do! Seven francs a day is a sum. Well, I'll give it youmyself to-day and will speak about you to the master.""You won't get me to loosen my tongue for that amount to-day; you maybet your boots on that," answered the lad insolently. "I wants onehundred francs down on the nail.""One hundred francs," echoed Beaumarchef, scandalized at such ademand.

"Yes, my cove, that and no less.""And what will you give in return? No, no, my lad; your demand is apreposterous one; besides, you wouldn't know how to spend such a sum.""Don't you flurry yourself about that; but of one thing you may besure, I sha'n't spend my wages as you do--in wax for your mustache."Beaumarchef could not endure an insult to his mustache, and Chupin wasabout to receive the kick he had so richly earned, ............