Bohemia Village Voice

(6 of 24)

How the Bohemian Club was Founded      

 “It’s just that you’re a little late with your flitting,” said the janitor. “It’s half-past eleven, and the new tenant who has taken your room may arrive any moment. Better make haste!”

      “In that case, let me pass. I’m going to fetch a cart to move my belongings.”

      “Indeed you are, but before you flit there’s a little formality. I have orders not to let you take away as much as a single hair until you have paid the three months’ arrears. You are no doubt in a position to do so?”

      “Bless me, of course I am!” said Schaunard – advancing a step.

      “Well, then if you will kindly enter my lodge, I will give you a receipt.”

      “I’ll fetch it when I come back.”

      “But why not right away?”

      “I’m going to the money-changer. I have no small change.”

      “Oh,” said the janitor distrustfully, “so you’re going to get some change? Well, just to oblige you, I’ll look after that little parcel you have under your arm. It might get in your way.”

      “Mr Janitor,” Schaunard said with dignity, “would you, by any chance, be distrusting me? Do you think I’m carrying off my furniture in a handkerchief?”

      “Excuse me, sir,” said the janitor, speaking a little less sharply, “those are my orders. M. Bernard specially told me not to let you take away a single hair until you’d paid.”

      “Well, have a look, then.” Schaunard opened his parcel. “There are no hairs here. These are shirts that I’m taking to the laundry, which is next door to the money-changer’s, only twenty steps from this door.”

      “That’s different,” said the janitor, after examining the parcel’s content. “Might I be so bold, M. Schaunard, as to ask your new address?”

      “Rue de Rivoli,” said the artist coldly. Once through the door, he made a quick break for the open.

      “Rue de Rivoli,” muttered the janitor, picking his nose. “It’s strange that they should have let him a room in the Rue de Rivoli, without even coming here for references – very strange, that. Let’s hope that the other tenant won’t come here to move in just as M. Schaunard is moving out. I’d have a fine cats’ concert on my stairs! … Ah, that’s all right,” he added, putting his head through the hatch of his lodge. “Here comes my new tenant.”

To be continued …

[Vie de Bohème by Henry Mürger, a vivid portrait of the ‘Bohemian’ life of the artistic quarter of Paris in the nineteenth century was originally published (by Michel Lévy) in 1851. The extract above is taken from a translation by Norman Cameron, published by Hamish Hamilton. The illustration is by Dodi Masterman.]