De Fleuri laughed again.
'Where am I to get the bits of wood, except I pull down some of those laths. And they wouldn't keep them out a night.'
'Couldn't you ask some carpenter?'
'I won't ask a favour.'
'I shouldn't mind asking, now.'
'That's because you don't know the bitterness of needing.'
'Fortunately, however, there's no occasion for it. You have no right to refuse for another what you wouldn't accept for yourself. Of course I could send in a man to do it; but if you would do it, that would do her heart good. And that's what most wants doing good to—isn't it, now?'
'I believe you're right there, sir. If it wasn't for the misery of it, I shouldn't mind the hunger.'
'I should like to tell you how I came to go poking my nose into other people's affairs. Would you like to hear my story now?'
'If you please, sir.'