worked then. I used to sing in
front of the pubs, and easily made my three francs a day. My pal and I
soon check 'em though, and then off we went to the theatre. Sometimes
we'd make tracks for Ivry, and take our doss in a deserted factory, into
which the crushers never put their noses. In the winter we used to go to
the glass houses and sleep in the warm ashes. All these were good times,
while now--"

"Well, what have you to grumble at now? Don't I hand you a five-franc
piece every day that you are at work?"

"But that ain't good enough. Come, don't get shirty; all I asks is a
rise of salary. Only say either Yes or No; and if you say No, why, I
sends in my resignation."

Beaumarchef would have given a five-franc piece out of his own pocket
for Mascarin to have heard the boy's impertinence.

"You are a young rascal!" said he, "and keep the worst of company. There
is no use in denying it, for a hang-dog fellow, calling himself Polyte,
has been here asking after you."

"My company ain't any business of yours."

"Well, I give you warning, you will come to grief."

"How?" returned Toto Chupin sulkily. "How can I come to grief? If old
Mascarin interferes, I'll shut up his mouth pretty sharp. I wish you and
your master wouldn't poke their noses into my affairs. I'm sick of you
both. Don't you think I'm up to you? When you make me follow some one
for a week at a time, it isn't to do 'em a kindness, I reckon. If things
turn out badly, I've only to go before a beak and speak up; I should get
off easily enough then; and if I do so, you will be sorry for not having
given me more than my five francs a day."

Beaumarchef was an old soldier and a bold man, but he was easily upset,
for the lad's insolence made him believe that he was uttering words that
had been put in his mouth by some wily adviser; and not knowing how
to act, the ex-soldier thought it best to adopt a more conciliating
demeanor.

"How much do you want?" asked he.

"Well, seven francs to start with."

"The deuce you do! Seven francs a day is a sum. Well, I'll give it you
myself to-day and will speak about you to the master."

"You won't get me to loosen my tongue for that amount to-day; you may
bet your boots on that," answered the lad insolently. "I wants one
hundred francs down on the nail."

"One hundred francs," echoed Beaumarchef, scandalized at such a demand.

"Yes, my cove, that and no less."

"And what will you give in return? No, no, my lad