950 Les Miserables
this despair. There is no question of committing suicide and
benefiting the grave. Fifteen francs is fifteen francs, and be-
sides, you may not be able to pay it. I am an old hand, you
are a new one. I know all the ropes and the devices. I will
give you some friendly advice. One thing is clear, the sun
is on the point of setting, it is touching the dome now, the
cemetery will be closed in five minutes more.’
‘That is true,’ replied the man.
‘Five minutes more and you will not have time to fill the
grave, it is as hollow as the devil, this grave, and to reach the
gate in season to pass it before it is shut.’
‘That is true.’
‘In that case, a fine of fifteen francs.’
‘Fifteen francs.’
‘But you have time. Where do you live?’
‘A couple of steps from the barrier, a quarter of an hour
from here. No. 87 Rue de Vaugirard.’
‘You have just time to get out by taking to your heels at
your best speed.’
‘That is exactly so.’
‘Once outside the gate, you gallop home, you get your
card, you return, the cemetery porter admits you. As you
have your card, there will be nothing to pay. And you will
bury your corpse. I’ll watch it for you in the meantime, so
that it shall not run away.’
‘I am indebted to you for my life, peasant.’
‘Decamp!’ said Fauchelevent.
The grave-digger, overwhelmed with gratitude, shook
his hand and set off on a run.