"If you threaten me, I'll go back again!" and Tortillard retreated several paces.
"Well, listen to me, now,—be a good boy," said the Chouette, repressing her anger, "and I'll give you something."
"Well, what?" said Tortillard, coming up to her. "Speak to me so always, and I'll do anything you wish me, Mother Chouette."
"Come, come, I'm in a hurry!"
"Yes; but promise me that I may have some fun with the Schoolmaster."
"Another time; I haven't time to-day."
"Only a little bit,—just let me tease him for five minutes?"
"Another time; I tell you that I want to return up-stairs as quickly as possible."
"Why, then, do you want to open the door of his apartment?"
"That's no affair of yours. Come, now, have done with this. Perhaps the Martials are come by this time, and I must have some talk with them. So be a good boy, and you sha'n't be sorry for it. Come along."