"Last night he begged me to accompany him, and overflowed me with attentions and good liquor for a while.

But I have retained my independence." "Good," said Schaunard.
"Sketch us some leading features of his character," said Marcel.
"Grandeur of soul, austerity of manners, afraid to go into wine shops, bachelor of arts, candid as a transparency, plays on the bass-viol, is disposed to change a five franc piece occasionally." "Good again!" said Schaunard.
"What are his hopes ?" "As I told you already, his ambition knows no bounds; he aspires to be 'hail-fellow-well-met' with us." "That is to say," answered Marcel, "he wishes to speculate upon us, and to be seen riding in our carriages." "What is his profession ?" asked Rodolphe.
"Yes," said Marcel, "what does he play on ?" "Literature and mixed philosophy.

He calls art a priesthood." "A priesthood!" cried Rodolphe, in terror.
"So he says." "And what is his road in literature ?" "He goes after 'Telemachus'." "Very good," said Schaunard, eating the seed of his artichoke.
"Very good! You dummy!" broke our Marcel.

"I advise you not to say that in the street." Schaunard relieved his annoyance at this reproof by kicking Phemie under the table for taking some of his sauce.
"Once more," said Rodolphe.

"What is his condition in the world?
What does he live on, and where does he live?
And what is his name ?" "His station is honorable.