Pagina 436 de 1118

"Well, settle this little account with me now, because to-morrow

I am obliged to leave home on business."

"That's right," said Renzo "I am honest. But the money-we must

find the money--!"

"Here it is," said the host; and calling up all his patience and

skill, he succeeded in obtaining the reckoning.

"Lend me your hand to finish undressing, host," said Renzo; "I

begin to comprehend, do you see, that--I am very sleepy."

The host rendered him the desired service, and covering him with

the quilt, bade him "Good night."

The words were scarcely uttered before poor Renzo snored. The

host stopped to contemplate him a moment by the light of his

lantern; "Mad blockhead!" said he to the poor sleeper, "thou hast

accomplished thy own ruin! dunces, who want to travel over the

world, without knowing where the sun rises, to entangle

themselves with affairs they know nothing of, to their own injury

and that of their neighbour!"