“No, oh no! thank God, they are quite well—that is all I can say to you.”
“Did they go out alone?”
“I cannot answer you.”
“Has any one taken them away?”
“Alas, my dear! why ask me these questions? I cannot answer you.”
“Will they come back here?”
“I do not know.”
Dagobert started up; his patience was once more exhausted. But, after taking a few turns in the room, he again seated himself as before.
“After all,” said he to his wife, “you have no interest to conceal from me what is become of the children. Why refuse to let me know?”
“I cannot do otherwise.”