Four messengers are sitting on a wall having a discussion at cross-purposes. Lithograph by H. Daumier.

"The men having this discussion have misunderstood each other. Each is using the word "commission" in a different way. The deputy has been ordering a commission, which in this case is understood as "doing an errand". The tip for such an errand would normally amount to 15 sous (75 cents), if the messenger doesn't have to wait for an answer. The Deputy is obviously thinking of a different kind of commission."--Brandeis University Libraries, online catalogue