A man who sees another man on the street corner with only a stump for an arm will be so shocked the first time he’ll give him sixpence. But the second time it’ll be only a threepenny bit. And if he sees him a third time, he’ll have him cold-bloodedly handed over to the police.
The generosity of Tristan Bernard, who could never resist the entreaties of a beggar, was one of the causes of his own financial difficulties. One poor wretch . . . would always be found at Bernard’s gate at certain fixed times. On one occasion, the old man’s eyes widened with delight as he watched his benefactor take a sizable bill from his wallet instead of the usual coins. “We’re leaving tomorrow for Normandy,” explained Bernard, dropping the bill into the beggar’s hat. “Here’s two months’ donation in advance. You have a right to your vacation, too.”
