Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Complete eBook

Antoine Gustave Droz
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 266 pages of information about Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Complete.

Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Complete eBook

Antoine Gustave Droz
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 266 pages of information about Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Complete.

Madame—­What for, in Heaven’s name?

Her Friend—­For her evening party.  There are to be private theatricals at her house, but for a pious object, you may be sure, during Lent; it is so as to have a collection on behalf of the Association.  I must fly.  Good-by, dear.

Madame—­Till Tuesday, dear; in full uniform?

Her Friend—­(smiling)—­In full uniform.  Kind regards to your reprobate.  I like him very much all the same.  Good-by.

CHAPTER VI

A DREAM

Sleeplessness is almost always to be traced to indigestion.  My friend, Dr. Jacques, is there and he will tell you so.

Now, on that particular evening, it was last Friday, I had committed the mistake of eating brill, a fish that positively disagrees with me.

God grant that the account of the singular dream which ensued may inspire you with some prudent reflections.

Be that as it may, this was my dream, in all its extravagance.

I had, in this dream, the honor to belong, as senior curate, to one of the most frequented parish churches in Paris.  What could be more ridiculous!  I was, moreover, respectably stout, possessed a head decked with silver locks, well-shaped hands, an aquiline nose, great unction, the friendship of the lady worshippers, and, I venture to add, the esteem of the rector.

While I was reciting the thanksgiving after service, and at the same time unfastening the cords of my alb, the rector came up to me (I see him even now) blowing his nose.

“My dear friend,” said he, “you hear confessions this evening, do you not?”

“Most certainly.  Are you well this morning?  I had a good congregation at mass.”

Having said this, I finished my thanksgiving, put my alb into the wardrobe, and, offering a pinch to the rector, added cheerily: 

“This is not breaking the fast, is it?”

“Ha! ha! no, no, no!  Besides, it wants five minutes to twelve and the clock is slow.”

We took a pinch together and walked off arm in arm by the little side door, for night sacraments, chatting in a friendly way.

Suddenly I found myself transported into my confessional.  The chapel was full of ladies who all bowed at my approach.  I entered my narrow box, the key of which I had.  I arranged on the seat the air-cushion which is indispensable to me on the evenings preceding great church festivals, the sittings at that season being always prolonged.  I slipped the white surplice which was hanging from a peg over my cassock, and, after meditating for a moment, opened the little shutter that puts me in communication with the penitents.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Complete from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.