At this moment the worm-eaten door shook again, under repeated blows with the fist.
"Who is there?" said Madame de Fermont in a trembling voice.
A coarse, rough voice answered, "Are you deaf, neighbors?"
"What do you want? I do not know you," said Madame de Fermont, trying to conceal the agitation of her voice.
"I am Robin, your neighbor; give me some fire to light my pipe: come, make haste!"
"It is that lame man, who is always drunk," said the mother to her child.
"Are you going to give me any fire! or I'll break all open, in the name of thunder?"
"Sir, I have no fire."
"You must have some matches, then; everybody has them; do you open— come?"
"Sir, go away."