on faisait : we went the rounds of

9. Parche d'alliance : the ark of the covenant. Among the ancient Hebrews this was the central point of their religious cérémonies, the rallying-point of the nation. See Exodus xxxv : 10-12.

10. cabotinait : played parts in low comedy. A cabotin is a fourth or fif th-rate actor.

11. quartier latin. The Latin quarter, so called from the location there of most of the professional schools of Paris, lies on the south side of the Seine.