"Oh, if he'll take us with him into the woods," said François, "that would be better than anything else. I should be with him I am so fond of, and should not work at any business that would tire me."
The conversation of François and Amandine was interrupted. Some one outside double-locked their door.
"They have fastened us in," said François.
"Oh, what can it be for, brother? What are they going to do to us?"
"It is Martial, perhaps."
"Listen, listen,—how his dog barks!" said Amandine, listening.
After a few minutes, François added:
"It sounds as if some one were knocking at his door with a hammer. Perhaps they want to force it open!"
"Yes; but how the dog barks still!"
"Listen, François! It is as if they were nailing something. Oh, dear, oh, dear, how frightened I am! What are they doing to our brother? And how the dog howls still!"