the growth of Saint Loup has become my dearest,
my most cherished ambition. And this brings me
to what I have come here to say — that colony of
villas is about to be started.3
CI care nothing for your colony of villas/ remarked
Jouse.
Kahn gazed at him out of his soft, ox-like eyes:
'And yet I would wish you to benefit by it. I am here
to offer you work, Benedit; I am here to suggest that
you build those villas.9 And then before Jouse had
time to reply: cBut you understand they must be
built quite cheaply; I have only a certain amount
to spend and my money must bring me in a fair profit.
For instance, our timber need not cost a fortune;
I imagine there is ... well . . . timber and timber.
Then our walls, why make them obtrusively thick as
the villas will only be used in the summer? And the
paint, why be foolishly extravagant with paint? Why
put on four coats where two are sufficient? Provided
some bright colour covers the deal, those who
purchase will never be any the wiser — at least not
just at first — after that, eh bien, after that it ceases to
be our business. But of course we must naturally
bear in mind that the villas should have an attractive
appearance; they should look, eh bien, I will be
perfectly frank, the villas should look better built
than they are ... it is always my rule to speak
frankly in business, But then you know well how it
is with building; a little touch here, a little touch
there, a small balcony say, or a curve to a window and
immediately you have obtained your effect, the
pleasing effect that catches a client. And now about
the question of time; one villa at least must be ready
next season. I would like it to be ready at latest
by June and sold/ he smiled quietly, 'sold by August.
A quick sale is very essential, my friend, and therefore
this matter of time is important. But being a man of
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