'Is that you there, Monsieur Gousse?'
'No, Madame, I am here.'
'Where have you come from?'
'From where I've just been.'
'What did you do there?'
'I repaired a windmill which was working badly.'
'To whom did this windmill belong?'
'I don't know. I didn't go there to mend the miller.'
'You're very well dressed today, contrary to your usual practice. But tell me, why are you wearing such a dirty shirt under a clean shirt?'
'That's because I've only got one.'
'Why have you only got one?'
'Because I only have one body at a time.'
'My husband's not here, but I hope that won't prevent you from having dinner with us.'
'No, it won't, since I haven't entrusted him with neither my stomach nor my appetite.'
'How is your wife keeping?'
'However she likes. That's her business.'
'And your children?'
'Wonderful.'
'And the one with the nice eyes, who looks so healthy and has such beautiful skin?'
'Much better than the others -- he's dead.'
'Are you teaching them anything?'
'No, madame.'
'What, not even reading, writing or catechism?'
'No reading, no writing and no catechism?'
'And why is that?'
'Because nobody taught me anything and I'm not any the more ignorant for it. If they've got brains they'll do as I've done. If they're stupid what I teach them will only make them more stupid.'
