“Let me hear you say, in the voice natural to you, and not in that alien tone, ‘ Mon ami, je vous pardonne. 143 ’ ”

He made me smile. Who could help smiling at his wistfulness, his simplicity, his earnestness?

“ Bon! ” he cried. “ Voilà que le jour va poindre! Dites donc, mon ami. ”

“ Monsieur Paul, je vous pardonne. ” 144

“I will have no monsieur: speak the other word, or I shall not believe you sincere: another effort⁠— mon ami , or else in English⁠—my friend!”