546
PARTISAN REVIEW
"No."
"You're lucky. Maybe it's because the women don't interest
you much."
"M.aybe that's it."
"The big thing, as I see it, is to eat, especially in times like
these. When you find yourself in a bad spot and there's barely enough
beefsteak for one, you don't think much about women. With a fellow
who never gets quite enough to eat, his stomach comes first and love
afterward. When it comes to making a living, I have nothing to
complain of, 1 have always done very well. That may be the reason
I am more exposed in this love business than some other people.
What do you do, what's your trade?"
"I'm a painter," replied Grandgil, after a moment's hesitation.
"I suspect that right now there isn't much building going on.
You're making out, anyway?"
"In a small way."
"Listen, if you say so I can give you a job. I'll be frank with
you, there's some risk in it, but it pays well. This very evening...."
Grandgil had placed his two empty valises in the middle of
the table, and with his hands in his pockets was enjoying Jamblier's
fright. On his ram's face, the smile of his little half-open eyes ex–
pressed an insolent gaiety, and it seemed that even the waves of his
curly blonde hair bore the mark of an ironic spirit. M.artin could
now take the measure of his own folly, and his face burned with
confusion.
"Do me the favor to keep your mouth shut," he said to Grandgil.
"I'm the one that does the talking here."
The ram made no retort, but from his phlegmatic air and the
smile in his porcine eyes, it seemed that this injunction made no
impression on him. Martin turned toward the boss, .and, in a furious
temper, opened the valise, saying :
"It's agreed, then ... four hundred and fifty."
"Monsieur Jamblier, 45 Poliveau Street," said the ram calmly,
"my share will be a thousand francs."
Jamblier stood with his mouth open. Martin himself, thunder–
struck, lost his head a little. There was something in the conduct of
his assistant that was beyond his comprehension . The first interrup-
