Though I was sensible I had said as many clever things to the commissary as came to six livres four sous, yet I was determined to note down the imposition amongst my remarks before I retired from the place; so putting my hand into my coat-pocket for my remarks--(which, by the bye, may be a caution to travellers to take a little more care of _their_ remarks for the future) "my remarks were _stolen_" ----Never did sorry traveller make such a pother and racket about his remarks as I did about mine, upon the occasion.
Heaven! earth! sea! fire! cried I, calling in everything to my aid but what I should ------My remarks are stolen! --what shall I do? ----Mr. Commissary! pray did I drop any remarks, as I stood besides you?------
You dropp'd a good many very singular ones; replied he ----Pugh! said I, those were but a few, not worth above six livres two sous--but these are a large parcel ----He shook his head ----Monsieur _Le Blanc!_ Madam _Le Blanc!_ did you see any papers of mine? --you maid of the house! run up stairs--_Franois!_ run up after her----
--I must have my remarks----they were the best remarks, cried I, that ever were made--the wisest--the wittiest --What shall I do? --which way shall I turn myself?
_Sancho Pana_, when he lost his ass's FURNITURE, did not exclaim more bitterly.
Though I was aware I had said only six livres' worth of clever things, yet I was determined to note them down before I left; so putting my hand into my coat-pocket for my journal of remarks - my remarks were stolen!
'Heaven! earth! sea! fire!' cried I. 'My remarks are stolen! what shall I do? Pray, did I drop any remarks, as I stood beside you?'
'You dropped a good many,' said he.
'Pugh!' said I, 'those were worth six livres - but these are a large parcel.'
He shook his head.
'Monsieur Le Blanc! did you see any papers of mine? Did your housemaid? Run upstairs, Franois! I must have my remarks - they were the best that ever were made,' cried I, 'the wisest - the wittiest. - What shall I do?'
Sancho Panza, when he lost his ass's furniture, did not exclaim more bitterly.
Book 7 - Chapter 36