Page:Candide Smollett E. P. Dutton.djvu/15

 “Faith, comrade,” said one of them to the other, “yonder is a well-made young fellow, and of the right size.”

Thereupon they made up to Candide, and with the greatest civility and politeness invited him to dine with them.

“Gentlemen,” replied Candide, with a most engaging modesty, “you do me much honour, but, upon my word, I have no money.”

“Money, Sir!” said one of the men in blue to him, “young persons of your appearance and merit never pay anything; why, are not you five feet five inches high?”

“Yes, gentlemen, that is really my size,” replied he, with a low bow.

“Come then, Sir, sit down along with us; we will not only pay your reckoning, but will never suffer such a clever young fellow as you to want money. Mankind were born to assist one another.”

“You are perfectly right, gentlemen,” said Candide; “that is precisely the doctrine of Master Pangloss; and I am convinced that everything is for the best.”

His generous companions next entreated him to accept of a few crowns, which he readily complied with, at the same time offering them his note for the payment, which they refused, and sat down to table.

“Have you not a great affection for”

“Oh yes!” he replied, “I have a great affection for the lovely Miss Cunegund.”

“May be so,” replied one of the men, “but that is not the question! We are asking you whether you have not a great affection for the King of the Bulgarians?”

“For the King of the Bulgarians?” said Candide. “Not at all. Why, I never saw him in my life.”

“Is it possible! Oh, he is a most charming king! Come, we must drink his health.”

“With all my heart, gentlemen,” Candide said, and he tossed off his glass.

“Bravo!” cried the blues; “you are now the support, the defender, the hero of the Bulgarians; your fortune is made; you are on the high road to glory.”

So saying, they put him in irons, and carried him away to the regiment. There he was made to wheel about to the right, to the left, to draw his ramrod, to return his ramrod, to present, to fire, to march, and they gave him thirty blows with a cane; the next day he performed his exercise a little better, and 1em