"And you have been here long?" he asked.
"Three years."
"Is it possible? And you did not die of ennui! You must have a famous constitution."
"Plaît-il?
"I mean, it is desperately tiresome to live year after year in this hole, and, moreover, to live here in such very charming society. But I suppose you have much to do?"
"Enormément! I have to work like a forçat."
"Like what?"
"Vous ne savez pas ce que c'est qu'un forçat?"
"No--never mind. We'll say, like a horse; that will do, I dare say. You say then, they make you work like a forçat?"
"Justement! I have to open and to lock all doors----"