"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.
Madame—Such things have taken place, have they not, dear?
Monsieur—(without raising his eyes)—Yes, my dear.
Madame—There, well I should never have believed it. But they are monstrous, are they not?