II
ONSIEUR GOUBIN and Monsieur Jean Marteau came in. Monsieur Bergeret told them the subject of the conversation:
"We were talking of the man whom my mother one day caused to exist, and created gardener at Saint-Omer. She gave him a name. Henceforth he acted."
"I beg you pardon, sir?" said Monsieur Goubin, wiping his eye-glasses. "Do you mind saying that over again?"
"Willingly," replied Monsieur Bergeret. "There was no gardener. The gardener did not exist. My mother said: 'I expect the gardener!' Straightway the gardener existed—and acted."
"But, Professor," inquired Monsieur Goubin, "how can he have acted if he did not exist?"
"In a manner, he did exist," replied Monsieur Bergeret.
"You mean he existed in imagination," scornfully retorted Monsieur Goubin.
