wing also that it is notorious that the
commercial note, bearing this or that signature, is liable to the
fluctuation of all commercial values, rises or falls in the market,
is dear at one moment, and is worth nothing at another, the courts
decide--ah! how stupid I am, I beg your pardon--I am inclined to think
you could buy up your brother's debts for twenty-five per cent."

"D-d-did you c-c-call him Je-Je-Jeremy B-Ben?"

"Bentham, an Englishman.'

"That's a Jeremy who might save us a lot of lamentations in business,"
said the notary, laughing.

"Those Englishmen s-sometimes t-t-talk sense," said Grandet. "So,
ac-c-cording to Ben-Bentham, if my b-b-brother's n-notes are worth
n-n-nothing; if Je-Je--I'm c-c-correct, am I not? That seems c-c-clear
to my m-m-mind--the c-c-creditors would be--No, would not be; I
understand."

"Let me explain it all," said the president. "Legally, if you acquire a
title to all the debts of the Maison Grandet, your brother or his heirs
will owe nothing to any one. Very good."

"Very g-good," repeated Grandet.

"In equity, if your brother's notes are negotiated--negotiated, do you
clearly understand the term?--negotiated in the market at a reduction
of so much per cent in value, and if one of your friends happening to be
present should buy them in, the creditors having sold them of their
own free-will without constraint, the estate of the late Grandet is
honorably released."

"That's t-true; b-b-business is b-business," said the cooper. "B-b-but,
st-still, you know, it is d-d-difficult. I h-have n-no m-m-money and
n-no t-t-time."

"Yes, but you need not undertake it. I am quite ready to go to Paris
(you may pay my expenses, they will only be a trifle). I will see
the creditors and talk with them and get an extension of time, and
everything can be arranged if you will add something to the assets so as
to buy up all title to the debts."

"We-we'll see about th-that. I c-c-can't and I w-w-won't bind myself
without--He who c-c-can't, can't; don't you see?"

"That's very true."

"I'm all p-p-put ab-b-bout by what you've t-t-told me. This is the
f-first t-t-time in my life I have b-been obliged to th-th-think--"

"Yes, you are not a lawyer."

"I'm only a p-p-poor wine-g-grower, and know n-nothing about wh-what you
have just t-told me; I m-m-must th-think about it."

"Very good," said the president, preparing to resume his argument.

"Nephew!" said the notary, interrupting him in