"And how much can this poor workman earn daily when in health, and without any calls upon his time or attention?"
"Why, if he had not to attend to his old mother, nurse his sick wife, and look after the five children, he could earn his three or four francs a day, because he works like a downright slave; but now that at least three-quarters of his time are taken up with the family, he can hardly manage to earn forty sous."
"That is little, indeed,—poor creatures!"
"Yes, it is easy to say poor creatures, but there are so many equally poor creatures, that, as we can do nothing for them, it is no use to worry ourselves about it,—is it, Alfred? And, talking of consoling ourselves, there stands the cassia, and we have never thought of tasting it."
"To tell you the truth, Madame Pipelet, after what I have just heard I have no inclination to partake of it. You and M. Pipelet must drink my health in it when I am gone."
"You are extremely kind, sir," said the porter; "but will you not like to see the rooms up-stairs?"
"I shall be glad to do so, if perfectly convenient; and, if they suit, I will engage them at once and leave a deposit."
The porter, followed by Rodolph, emerged from the gloomy lodge, and proceeded up-stairs.