He still hadn’t married. But Thomas had seen his brother with a succession of handsome women.

The object to be moved turned out to be something more mundane than the Mona Lisa. It was just a carpet.

“I thought it would be a good idea when I put it down,” Luc confessed, “but it wasn’t, and we’re tripping over the edges. I’m going back to a bare floor, and I’ll use the carpet for my own house.” The tables had already been moved to the side and the carpet lay rolled and tied in the center of the floor.

“It’s heavy,” said Thomas as they began to drag it out to the cart.

“It’s good quality,” said Luc. “That’s why I’m taking it for the house.”

They had quite a job getting it onto the handcart, and a section stuck out at the back, but Luc supported it and pushed while Thomas pulled the cart from the front.

“We need Robert,” said Thomas.

“We’ll be all right,” said Luc.

It was a long, slow climb up the streets toward Luc’s place. Years of manual work had given Thomas the strength of an ox, but he was grunting, and Luc was sweating profusely. Finally, however, they reached their destination.

Luc’s house lay at the end of a narrow street that was nestled against the hillside of Montmartre. It had belonged to a builder before Luc bought it. There was a small yard at the front, with bushes on one side and trees on the other. Behind the house lay a small garden. On the left rose the steep slope of the hill covered with shrubs. At the end, a wall. On the right, another wall, and the back of a shed belonging to another house. Against the slope, there was a wooden hut containing a privy, with a small garden shed adjoining it.

They got the carpet into the house, down the narrow hallway and into the main room. At the end of that, they needed a break.

“I’ll get you a beer,” said Luc, and Thomas nodded gratefully.

As Luc poured their beer, Thomas said, “The carpet’s too big for this room, I think.”

“I’m going to cut it down.”

“Do you want to open it out and see? I don’t mind helping you.”

“Not now. I’m too tired.”

“What was it you wanted to talk to me about, then?”

“Oh. I just wanted to know if you needed any money. I have quite a bit put by.”

“That’s kind of you, Luc. But we’re all right. If I’m ever in trouble, I’ll tell you.”

“Just so long as you let me know.”

They drank their beers in silence, until Luc got up to use the privy.