“But I thought I would like to have a little look round the town, before I go back to England,” said Israel.

“Business before pleasure, my friend.  You must absolutely remain in your room, just as if you were my prisoner, until you quit Paris for Calais.  Not knowing now at what instant I shall want you to start, your keeping to your room is indispensable.  But when you come back from Brentford again, then, if nothing happens, you will have a chance to survey this celebrated capital ere taking ship for America.  Now go directly, and pay the boot-black.  Stop, have you the exact change ready?  Don’t be taking out all your money in the open street.”

“Doctor,” said Israel, “I am not so simple.”

“But you knocked over the box.”

“That, Doctor, was bravery.”

“Bravery in a poor cause, is the height of simplicity, my friend.—­Count out your change.  It must be French coin, not English, that you are to pay the man with.—­Ah, that will do—­those three coins will be enough.  Put them in a pocket separate from your other cash.  Now go, and hasten to the bridge.”

“Shall I stop to take a meal anywhere, Doctor, as I return?  I saw several cookshops as I came hither.”

“Cafes and restaurants, they are called here, my honest friend.  Tell me, are you the possessor of a liberal fortune?”

“Not very liberal,” said Israel.

“I thought as much.  Where little wine is drunk, it is good to dine out occasionally at a friend’s; but where a poor man dines out at his own charge, it is bad policy.  Never dine out that way, when you can dine in.  Do not stop on the way at all, my honest friend, but come directly back hither, and you shall dine at home, free of cost, with me.”

“Thank you very kindly, Doctor.”

And Israel departed for the Pont Neuf.  Succeeding in his errand thither, he returned to Dr. Franklin, and found that worthy envoy waiting his attendance at a meal, which, according to the Doctor’s custom, had been sent from a neighboring restaurant.  There were two covers; and without attendance the host and guest sat down.  There was only one principal dish, lamb boiled with green peas.  Bread and potatoes made up the rest.  A decanter-like bottle of uncolored glass, filled with some uncolored beverage, stood at the venerable envoy’s elbow.

“Let me fill your glass,” said the sage.

“It’s white wine, ain’t it?” said Israel.

“White wine of the very oldest brand; I drink your health in it, my honest friend.”

“Why, it’s plain water,” said Israel, now tasting it.

“Plain water is a very good drink for plain men,” replied the wise man.

“Yes,” said Israel, “but Squire Woodcock gave me perry, and the other gentleman at White Waltham gave me port, and some other friends have given me brandy.”

“Very good, my honest friend; if you like perry and port and brandy, wait till you get back to Squire Woodcock, and the gentleman at White Waltham, and the other friends, and you shall drink perry and port and brandy.  But while you are with me, you will drink plain water.”