"That I have already heard/ said Jouse. He read
the announcement, then he laughed very loudly:
'Louis Quinze, Louis Seize, this thing says he will
sell us! Yes, no doubt, Marioun, but then who will
buy? That is what I ask you. Ah, mais non, Louis
Quinze!5 And crushing the circular in his hand he
hurled it, still laughing, into the corner.
But le tout petit Loup had now pricked up his ears,
for he much wished to know the contents of that
paper, so he promptly retrieved it, spread it out on
his knee and read in his turn: 'Gramophones . . .'he
murmured.
'What is that?5 enquired Jouse, swinging heavily
round.
'Gramophones, and I wish to possess one,9 an-
nounced Loup.
'Ah, really, and what else do you wish to possess?5
Jouse's voice sounded suddenly ominous.
'Many things that I find in this list,5 Loup told
him.
Christophe nudged his brother, then he trod on
his foot with rather more vigour than he had intended.
'Why are you treading on my toe, imbecile? Get
off it!5 bawled Loup, as he doubled up his fist.
'Do not threaten me like that with your fist!5
flared Christophe.
'Then keep your enormous feet out of my way.5
'I will not!5
'You have feet like an elephant5s!5
'Ah, bien, you have feet the size of a bug5s!5
'Maman, maman, Christophe has called me a
bug!5
'Oh, be silent, both of you;5 exclaimed Marie,
*Santo Ano d5At. I am late as it is. Stop quarrelling
if you wish to remain in my kitchen.5
Jouse shrugged his shoulders: 'Such a hubbub/
he muttered, 'and a man who has worked for long
244