Notre Dame de Paris - Bartleby.com

“You know that the Ecclesiastical Court decided that our twenty-one houses were held in full fee of the
bishopric, and that we could only redeem this tribute by paying to his Reverence the Bishop two marks
silver gilt of the value of six livres parisis. Now, I have not yet been able to collect these two marks, and
you know it.”
“I know that I want money,” repeated Jehan for the third time.
“And what do you want it for?”
This question brought a ray of hope to Jehan’s eyes. He assumed his coaxing, demure air once more.
“Look you, dear brother Claude, I do not come to you with any bad intent. I do not purpose to squander
your money in a tavern, or ruffle it through the streets of Paris in gold brocade and with my lackey
behind me—cum meo laquasio. No, brother, ’tis for a good work.”
“What good work?” asked Claude, somewhat surprised.
“Why, two of my friends wish to purchase some swaddling-clothes for the infant of a poor widow of the
Haudriette Convent. ’Tis a charity. It will cost three florins, and I would like to add my contribution.”
“Who are your two friends?”
“Pierre l’Assommeur 69 and Baptiste Croque-Oison.” 70
“Humph!” said the Archdeacon; “these are names that go as fitly with a good work as a bombard upon
a high altar.”
It cannot be denied that Jehan had not been happy in the choice of names for his two friends. He felt it
when it was too late.
“Besides,” continued the shrewd Claude, “what sort of swaddling-clothes are they which cost three
florins—and for the infant of a Haudriette? Since when, pray, do the Haudriette widows have babes in
swaddling-clothes?”
Jehan broke the ice definitely.
“Well, then, I want some money to go and see Isabeau la Thierrye this evening at the Val-d’ Amour!”
“Vile profligate!” cried the priest.
“[Greek],” retorted Jehan.
This quotation, selected by the boy no doubt in sheer malice from those on the wall of the cell, produced
a singular effect upon the priest. He bit his lip, and his anger was lost in his confusion.
“Get you gone!” said he to Jehan; “I am expecting some one.”
The scholar made one last attempt.
“Brother Claude, give me at least one little parisis to get some food.”
“How far have you advanced in the Decretals of Gratian?” asked Dom Claude.