It amused me to be called _Le Grangeur_.

It amused me, and I stood in need of amusement.
Without it I might never have written the article on the Duc.

I had started out that morning in a state of nervous irritation.

I had wanted more than ever to have done with the thing, with the _Hour_, with journalism, with everything.

But this little new experience buoyed me up, set my mind working in less morbid lines.