It was a Sunday at the end of the month--sinister day.
The arrival of Medicis was therefore hailed by a joyous chorus, for they knew that he was too saving of his time to spend it in visits of polite ceremony; his presence announced business.
"Good evening, gentlemen!" said the Jew.

"How are you all ?" "Colline!" said Rodolphe, who was studying the horizontal line at full length on his bed.

"Do the hospitable.

Give our guest a chair; a guest is sacred.

I salute Abraham in you," added he.
Colline took an arm chair about as soft as iron, and shoved it towards the Jew, saying: "Suppose, for once, you were Cinna, (you _are_ a great sinner, you know), and take this seat." "Oh, oh, oh!" shouted the others, looking at the floor to see if it would not open and swallow up the philosopher.