Isn't poverty dreadful ?" I nodded; I could not say a word: the fact told so much.
The chastened mood of self-condemnation did not last long with him or go deep; soon he was talking as merrily and gaily as ever.
Before parting I said to him: "You won't forget that you are going on Thursday night ?" "Oh, really!" he cried, to my surprise, "Thursday is very near; I don't know whether I shall be able to come." "What on earth do you mean ?" I asked.
"The truth is, you know, I have debts to pay, and I have not enough." "But I will give you more," I cried, "what will clear you ?" "Fifty more I think will do.

How good you are!" "I will bring it with me to-morrow morning." "In notes please, will you?
French money.

I find I shall want it to pay some little things at once, and the time is short." I thought nothing of the matter.

The next day at lunch I gave him the money in French notes.

That night I said to him: "You know we are going away to-morrow evening: I hope you'll be ready?
I have got the tickets for the _Train de Luxe_." "Oh, I'm so sorry!" he cried, "I can't be ready." "What is it now ?" I asked.
"Well, it's money.