“But I should fail. I only know three phrases of English, and a few words: par exemple , 95 de sonn, de mone, de stare⁠— est-ce bien dit ? 96 My opinion is that it would be better to give up the thing altogether: to have no English examination, eh?”

“If Madame consents, I consent.”

“Heartily?”

“Very heartily.”

He smoked his cigar in silence. He turned suddenly.