"Let us shut the door," said Elise. "This is not a pretty man." But the man from Stettin pushed past.
"Brat;" said he, "drink."
Boudru's mother had hurried up to the door as fast as her bulk and her stout legs would permit.
Every day she had expected a visit from the Huns. It was useless to argue with such a man, so she took the German in.
"Brandy," said the man.
"There is only a little left ... it is over there, on the sideboard."
The soldier walked over, finished half a bottle, and announced that it was like water.
"More," he ordered, "Shoot you if no find."
The woman at last managed to unearth a bottle of good Burgundy and another bottle of brandy.
He drank both the bottles, and when he had finished, he asked for more like every other Boche will do. Then he chose the front bedroom and threw himself down on the bed in a drunken sleep.