This settled matters. Trembling, but resolute, Jean got up and said:
"Listen, my good woman. I will make reply in your presence, which shall not stand in my way. I will ask Lise if she will consent to my marrying her. You hear me ask, Lise? and if you say yes, you will make me very happy."
She was just then emptying her jug into the bucking-tub. She did not hurry, but finished carefully watering the linen. Then, with her arms bare and moist with steam, becoming quite grave, she looked him in the face.
"So you're in earnest?"
"Thoroughly in earnest."
She did not seem surprised. It was natural. Only she did not answer yes or no; there was evidently something on her mind which annoyed her.
"You needn't say no on account of La Cognette," resumed he, "because La Cognette——"
She cut him short with a gesture. She was well aware that all the larking at the farm was of no consequence.
"There is also the fact that I've absolutely nothing but my skin to bring you; whereas, you own this house and some land."
Again she waved her arm, as if to say that in her position, with a child, she agreed with him in thinking that things were evenly balanced.