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172 to help out small farmers in a pinch. Pitilessly I started the process servers after these poor devils, causing them to sell their hovels, their piece of land, the things with the aid of which they made a miserable living, depriving themselves of everything. In the shops where I still had credit I bought things which I immediately resold at a very low price. I stooped to putting through the most questionable deals. My brains teemed with original plans of blackmail, and I tired Jesselin with my endless requests of money. Finally one day I went to see Lirat. I needed five hundred francs that evening, and I went to Lirat, deliberately, boldly! In his presence, however, in that studio full of painful memories, my self-assurance deserted me and I felt a sense of belated shame. I was with Lirat a quarter of an hour, without venturing to explain to him the thing that I expected of his friendship. . . . Of his friendship! . . . At last I made up my mind to go.

"Well, good bye, Lirat!"

"Good bye, my friend."

"Ah! I forgot. Could you lend me five hundred francs? I am expecting my farm rents. They are overdue."

And I added rapidly:

"I'll give them back to you tomorrow tomorrow morning."

Lirat fixed his glance on me for a moment. I can still see that glance. It was truly sorrowful.

"Five hundred francs!" he said. "Where in the devil do you expect me to get them? Have I ever had five hundred francs?"

I insisted, repeating:

"I'll give them back to you tomorrow. . . tomorrow morning."

"But I haven't got them, my poor Mintié, I have