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CHAPTER II
PRELIMINARY GAYETIES
Laigle de Meaux, as the reader knows, lived more with
Joly than elsewhere. He had a lodging, as a bird has one on
a branch. The two friends lived together, ate together, slept
together. They had everything in common, even Musichet-
ta, to some extent. They were, what the subordinate monks
who accompany monks are called, bini. On the morning
of the 5th of June, they went to Corinthe to breakfast. Joly,
who was all stuffed up, had a catarrh which Laigle was be-
ginning to share. Laigle’s coat was threadbare, but Joly was
well dressed.
It was about nine o’clock in the morning, when they
opened the door of Corinthe.
They ascended to the first floor.
Matelote and Gibelotte received them.
‘Oysters, cheese, and ham,’ said Laigle.
And they seated themselves at a table.
The wine-shop was empty; there was no one there but
themselves.
Gibelotte, knowing Joly and Laigle, set a bottle of wine
on the table.