“Andyoubothunderstoodthatmattercapitally，“saidSimon，withalaugh，“Ialwaysseethatitparticularlyprovokesthequeentohaveyouonservice，andIlikethat，andIamespeciallygladtohaveyouhere。“
“I’vethoughtoutajokeforto-day，“saidToulan。“Iwillteachthewidowtosmoke。Youknow，brotherSimon，thatshealwayspretendsnottobeabletobearthesmelloftobacco，sheshalllearntobearit。Iwillhandherapapercigaretteto-day，andtellherthatifshedoesnotwantustosmoke，shemustsmokewithus。“
“Splendidjoke!“saidSimon，withaloudlaugh。“Butthere’sonethingtobethoughtofaboutthat，“saidLepitre，reflectively。“thewidowCapetmightperhapspromisetosmoke，ifwewouldtellherthatwewouldneversmokeafterward。Butthenweshouldnotkeepourword，ofcourse。“
“What!yousayweshouldnotkeepourword!“saidToulan，inamazement。“Wearerepublicans；morethanthat，wearesans-
culottes!andshallwenotkeepourword？oughtwenottobebetterthanthecursedaristocrats，thatneverkepttheirwordtothepeople？Howcanyoudisgraceusandyourselfsomuch？AskournoblefriendandbrotherSimon，whetherheisoftheopinionthatafreemanoughtnottokeephisword，evenifhehasonlygivenittoawomaninprison。“