Page 414 - les-miserables

a grimace like a surgeon when the latter thinks a limb is
broken.
‘Can you repair this wheel immediately?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘When can I set out again?’
‘To-morrow.’
‘To-morrow!’
‘There is a long day’s work on it. Are you in a hurry, sir?’
‘In a very great hurry. I must set out again in an hour at
the latest.’
‘Impossible, sir.’
‘I will pay whatever you ask.’
‘Impossible.’
‘Well, in two hours, then.’
‘Impossible to-day. Two new spokes and a hub must be
made. Monsieur will not be able to start before to-morrow
morning.’
‘The matter cannot wait until to-morrow. What if you
were to replace this wheel instead of repairing it?’
‘How so?’
‘You are a wheelwright?’
‘Certainly, sir.’
‘Have you not a wheel that you can sell me? Then I could
start again at once.’
‘A spare wheel?’
‘Yes.’
‘I have no wheel on hand that would fit your cabriolet.
Two wheels make a pair. Two wheels cannot be put together
hap-hazard.’

414 Les Miserables