Page 1610 - les-miserables

‘That changes you,’ remarked Gavroche, ‘you are less
homely so, you ought to keep them on all the time.’
Montparnasse was a handsome fellow, but Gavroche was
a tease.
‘Seriously,’ demanded Montparnasse, ‘how do you like
me so?’
The sound of his voice was different also. In a twinkling,
Montparnasse had become unrecognizable.
‘Oh! Do play Porrichinelle for us!’ exclaimed Gavroche.
The two children, who had not been listening up to this
point, being occupied themselves in thrusting their fingers
up their noses, drew near at this name, and stared at Mont-
parnasse with dawning joy and admiration.
Unfortunately, Montparnasse was troubled.
He laid his hand on Gavroche’s shoulder, and said to
him, emphasizing his words: ‘Listen to what I tell you, boy!
if I were on the square with my dog, my knife, and my wife,
and if you were to squander ten sous on me, I wouldn’t re-
fuse to work, but this isn’t Shrove Tuesday.’
This odd phrase produced a singular effect on the gam-
in. He wheeled round hastily, darted his little sparkling
eyes about him with profound attention, and perceived a
police sergeant standing with his back to them a few pac-
es off. Gavroche allowed an: ‘Ah! good!’ to escape him, but
immediately suppressed it, and shaking Montparnasse’s
hand:—
‘Well, good evening,’ said he, ‘I’m going off to my ele-
phant with my brats. Supposing that you should need me
some night, you can come and hunt me up there. I lodge on

1610 Les Miserables