The man replied:--
"Completely.
The good God consulted his note-book which shows when the time is up.
It was Father Mestienne's turn.
Father Mestienne died."
Fauchelevent repeated mechanically:
"The good God--"
"The good God," said the man authoritatively.
"According to the philosophers, the Eternal Father; according to the Jacobins, the Supreme Being."
"Shall we not make each other's acquaintance?" stammered Fauchelevent.
"It is made.
You are a peasant, I am a Parisian."
"People do not know each other until they have drunk together. He who empties his glass empties his heart.
You must come and have a drink with me.
Such a thing cannot be refused."
"Business first."
Fauchelevent thought:
"I am lost."
They were only a few turns of the wheel distant from the small alley leading to the nuns' corner.
The grave-digger resumed:--