"Monsieur Bixiou, would you do me the honor to come down for once to my level and speak in a language I can understand ?" Bixiou [winking at the rest].

"Willingly." [Takes Poiret by the button of his frock-coat.] "Before you leave this office forever perhaps you would be glad to know what you are--" Poiret [quickly].

"An honest man, monsieur." Bixiou [shrugging his shoulders].

"-- to be able to define, explain, and analyze precisely what a government clerk is?
Do you know what he is ?" Poiret.

"I think I do." Bixiou [twisting the button].