In order to get his fifty metres, Maheu struggled with a comrade who was also obstinate; in turn they each took off a centime from the tram; and if he conquered in the end it was only by lowering the wage to such an extent, that the captain Richomme, who was standing behind him, muttered between his teeth, and nudged him with his elbow, growling angrily that he could never do it at that price.
Il fallut que Maheu, pour avoir ses cinquante metres d'avancement, luttât contre un camarade, qui s'obstinait, lui aussi; a tour de rôle, ils retiraient chacun un centime de la berline; et, s'il demeura vainqueur, ce fut en abaissant tellement le salaire, que le porion Richomme, debout derriere lui, se fâchait entre ses dents, le poussait du coude, en grognant avec colere que jamais il ne s'en tirerait, a ce prix-la.