The home-life was of less importance to youths who supped three times the week at Mere Cognette's.
Moreover, just before dinner, Baruch had received notice that the grand master convoked the whole Order at midnight for a magnificent supper, in the course of which a great enterprise would be arranged.

The feast of welcome given by old Hochon to his guests explains how necessary were the nocturnal repasts at the Cognette's to two young fellows blessed with good appetites, who, we may add, never missed any of them.
"We will take the liqueur in the salon," said Madame Hochon, rising and motioning to Joseph to give her his arm.

As they went out before the others, she whispered to the painter:-- "Eh! my poor boy; this dinner won't give you an indigestion; but I had hard work to get it for you.

It is always Lent here; you will get enough just to keep life in you, and no more.

So you must bear it patiently." The kind-heartedness of the old woman, who thus drew her own predicament, pleased the artist.
"I have lived fifty years with that man, without ever hearing half-a-dozen gold pieces chink in my purse," she went on.