"In a few days des Lupeaulx will have accomplished all that I want of him.

While you are trying to speak to the minister, and before you can even see him on business, I shall have seen him and spoken with him.

You are worn out in trying to bring that plan of your brain to birth,--a plan which you have been hiding from me; but you will find that in three months your wife has accomplished more than you have done in six years.

Come, tell me this fine scheme of yours." Rabourdin, continuing to shave, cautioned his wife not to say a word about his work, and after assuring her that to confide a single idea to des Lupeaulx would be to put the cat near the milk-jug, he began an explanation of his labors.
"Why didn't you tell me this before, Rabourdin ?" said Celestine, cutting her husband short at his fifth sentence.

"You might have saved yourself a world of trouble.