The Professor: Avignon 



control. Should a crocodile die, let them keep the 

 hide for me. I will stuff it with straw and hang 

 it from the ceiling. Thus adorned, my workshop 

 will rival the wizard's den." 



The minister cast his eyes round the nave and 

 glanced up at the Gothic vault: 



" Yes, it would look very well." And he gave 

 a laugh at my sally. " I now know you as a chem- 

 ist," he continued. " I knew you already as a 

 naturalist and a writer. I have heard about your 

 little animals. I am sorry that I shall have to 

 leave without seeing them. They must wait for 

 another occasion. My train will be starting pres- 

 ently. Walk with me to the station, will you? We 

 shall be alone and we can chat a bit more on the 

 way," 



We strolled along, discussing entomology and 

 madder. My shyness had disappeared. The self- 

 sufficiency of a fool would have left me dumb; the 

 fine frankness of a lofty mind put me at my ease. 

 I told him of my experiments in natural history, 

 of my plans for a professorship, of my fight with 

 harsh fate, my hopes and fears. He encouraged 

 me, spoke to me of a better future. We reached 

 the station and walked up and down outside, talk- 

 ing away delightfully. 



A poor old woman passed, all in rags, her back 

 bent by age and years of work in the fields. She 

 furtively put out her hand for alms. Duruy felt 

 in his waistcoat, found a two-franc piece, and placed 

 it in the outstretched hand ; I wanted to add a cou- 

 ple of sous as my contribution, but my pockets were 



173 



