Then, putting her mouth to his ear, she murmurs with a smile, “Come, explain your idea, for the sake of peace and quiet.”
Madame, after a very long silence, and half asleep, “Oscar!”
Monsieur, his eyes closed, in a faint voice, “My dear.”
“How about the candle? it is still alight.”
“Ah! the candle. I will put it out. If you were very nice you would give me a share of your hot-water bottle; one of my feet is frozen. Good-night.”
“Good-night.”
They clasp hands and fall asleep.
CHAPTER XXI. A LONGING
MONSIEUR and MADAME are quietly sitting together—The clock has just
struck ten—MONSIEUR is in his dressing-gown and slippers, is
leaning back in an armchair and reading the newspaper—MADAME is
carelessly working squares of laces.