Duroy Learns Something

           GeorgesDuroydidnotsleepwell,soanxiouswashetoseehisarticleinprint.Heroseatdaybreak,andwasonthestreetlongbeforethenewsboys.Whenhesecuredapaperandsawhisnameattheendofacolumninlargeletters,hebecameverymuchexcited.Hefeltinclinedtoenactthepartofanewsboyandcryouttothehurryingthrong:"Buythis!itcontainsanarticlebyme!"Hestrolledalongtoacafeandseatedhimselfinordertoreadthearticlethrough;thatdonehedecidedtogototherailroadoffice,drawhissalary,andhandinhisresignation.

           Withgreatpomposityheinformedthechiefclerkthathewasonthestaffof"LaVieFrancaise,"andbythatmeanswasavengedformanypettyinsultswhichhadbeenofferedhim.Hethenhadsomecardswrittenwithhisnewcallingbeneathhisname,madeseveralpurchases,andrepairedtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."Forestierreceivedhimloftilyasonewouldaninferior.

           "Ah,hereyouare!Verywell;Ihaveseveralthingsforyoutodo.JustwaittenminutestillIfinishthiswork."Hecontinuedwriting.

           Attheotherendofthetablesatashort,paleman,verystoutandbald.Forestieraskedhim,whenhisletterwascompleted,"Saint-Potin,atwhattimeshallyouinterviewthosepeople?"

           "Atfouro’clock."

           "TakeDuroy,whoishere,withyouandinitiatehimintothebusiness."

           "Verywell.