“Oh, no!” said Pécuchet.
Bouvard added: “Let him go. He is a decent fellow.”
“He—a poacher!”
“Well, such things will happen.”
And they proceeded to defend poaching: “We know, to start with, that the rabbits nibble at the young sprouts, and that the hares destroy the corn crops—except, perhaps, the woodcock——”
“Let me alone, now.” And the gamekeeper went on writing with clenched teeth.
“What obstinacy!” murmured Bouvard.
“Another word, and I shall send for the gendarmes!
“You are an ill-mannered fellow!” said Pécuchet.
“You are no great things!” retorted Sorel.