If you stay here long enough, you'll learn a deal that's written in the book o' nature,--you who write, so they tell me, in the newspapers." Blondet had reached the bank before Charles, the groom, perceived him.
"Ah, monsieur!" he cried; "you don't know how anxious Madame has been since she heard you had gone through the gate of Conches; she was afraid you were drowned.

They have rung the great bell three times, and Monsieur le cure is hunting for you in the park." "What time is it, Charles ?" "A quarter to twelve." "Help me to mount." "Ha!" exclaimed the groom, noticing the water that dripped from Blondet's boots and trousers, "has monsieur been taken in by Pere Fourchon's otter ?" The words enlightened the journalist.
"Don't say a word about it, Charles," he cried, "and I'll make it all right with you." "Oh, as for that!" answered the man, "Monsieur le comte himself has been taken in by that otter.

Whenever a visitor comes to Les Aigues, Pere Fourchon sets himself on the watch, and if the gentleman goes to see the sources of the Avonne he sells him the otter; he plays the trick so well that Monsieur le comte has been here three times and paid him for six days' work, just to stare at the water!" "Heavens!" thought Blondet.

"And I imagined I had seen the greatest comedians of the present day!--Potier, the younger Baptiste, Michot, and Monrose.

What are they compared to that old beggar ?" "He is very knowing at the business, Pere Fourchon is," continued Charles; "and he has another string to his bow, besides.