Intermediaries

Since he is dead, he will not be able to show his astonishment, but probably Ali bey Fatmy would not have learned without sorrow that one of his good friends received the high commission on purchases he had made. Everyone has to live and God knows that the profession of intermediary is not dishonourable; the example comes from M. de Courpière who did not believe in derogating by selling antiquities and family portraits that official suppliers renewed at each opportunity in his apartment. I look like a fool to one of my friends. He bought a

automobile and the dealer, whom I knew, gave me three thousand francs. All puffed up with honesty and joy, I went to the buyer and handed over the money. He slipped the notes into his wallet and he asked me with a smile:

How much did the salesman give you? "But the three thousand francs that I have just given you." He shrugged and gave me a pat on the stomach: - Not me! you would be too stupid! All my oaths only convinced him of my foolishness.

Basically, it's guys like me who must be wrong. At a time when the smallest transaction leaves profits to two or three intermediaries, we are not of the time with our scruples and our delicacies of former poor, who persist in not wanting to get rich.

— D.