but what does he want ?" "I don't know; I never saw him in such a state." "He can come in." M.Lachenel came in, carrying a riding-whip, with which he struck his right boot in an irritable manner.
"Good morning, M.Lachenel," said Richard, somewhat impressed.

"To what do we owe the honor of your visit ?" "Mr.Manager, I have come to ask you to get rid of the whole stable." "What, you want to get rid of our horses ?" "I'm not talking of the horses, but of the stablemen." "How many stablemen have you, M.Lachenel ?" "Six stablemen! That's at least two too many." "These are 'places,'" Mercier interposed, "created and forced upon us by the under-secretary for fine arts.

They are filled by protegees of the government and, if I may venture to ..." "I don't care a hang for the government!" roared Richard.

"We don't need more than four stablemen for twelve horses." "Eleven," said the head riding-master, correcting him.
"Twelve," repeated Richard.
"Eleven," repeated Lachenel.
"Oh, the acting-manager told me that you had twelve horses!" "I did have twelve, but I have only eleven since Cesar was stolen." And M.Lachenel gave himself a great smack on the boot with his whip.
"Has Cesar been stolen ?" cried the acting-manager.

"Cesar, the white horse in the Profeta ?" "There are not two Cesars," said the stud-groom dryly.