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CHAPTER VIII
THE DEATH OF A HORSE
‘The dinners are better at Edon’s than at Bombarda’s,’ ex-
claimed Zephine.
‘I prefer Bombarda to Edon,’ declared Blachevelle. ‘There
is more luxury. It is more Asiatic. Look at the room down-
stairs; there are mirrors [glaces] on the walls.’
‘I prefer them [glaces, ices] on my plate,’ said Favourite.
Blachevelle persisted:—
‘Look at the knives. The handles are of silver at Bombar-
da’s and of bone at Edon’s. Now, silver is more valuable than
bone.’
‘Except for those who have a silver chin,’ observed Tho-
lomyes.
He was looking at the dome of the Invalides, which was
visible from Bombarda’s windows.
A pause ensued.
‘Tholomyes,’ exclaimed Fameuil, ‘Listolier and I were
having a discussion just now.’
‘A discussion is a good thing,’ replied Tholomyes; ‘a quar-
rel is better.’
‘We were disputing about philosophy.’