168
COLAS BREUGNON
thanks to St. Vineyard." So we made both these pious pilgrimages, all three together, for Paillard insisted on joining us.
"Friends," said I, "you were not so anxious to go with me the other day."
"You know I love you," said Paillard, "but I love my own self better, and as the proverb says, 'My skin fits tighter than my waistcoat.'"
"I am an old coward," said Chamaille, thumping himself on the chest, and looking very shamefaced.
"Well then," said I, "of what use are all the precepts of religion and of Cato?"
We all looked at each other and laughed. "Life is sweet," we cried, "and good men are scarce; if God thought fit to put us into this world, it is our duty to stay here as long as we can."
