Page:Crainquebille, Putois, Riquet and other profitable tales, 1915.djvu/245



ORTEUR, the founder of l’Etoile, the political and literary editor of La Revue Nationale and of Le Nouveau Siècle Illustré, Horteur, having received me in his editorial room, from the depths of his editorial arm-chair addressed me thus:

“My good Marteau, write me a story for the special number of Le Nouveau Siècle. Three hundred lines for New Year's Day. Something amusing with a high society atmosphere.”

I told Horteur that that was not in my line, at least not in the sense in which he understood it, but that I was prepared to write him a story.

“I should like it to be entitled,” he said, “a tale for the rich.”

“I should prefer a tale for the poor.”

“That is what I mean. A tale to inspire the rich with pity for the poor.” 231