The two sisters did not move, but seemed surprised and stupid.
The little maid said: "Will you take off your hats and your shawls, and go into the other room?"
They went out without having said a word. And Columbel followed them limping, leaving the dying woman alone again.
When they were relieved of their outer garments, the women seated themselves. Then one of the cats left the window, stretched herself, jumped into the room, then upon the knees of Madame Cimme, who began to caress her.
They heard from the next room the voice of agony, living, without doubt, in this last hour, the life she had expected, living her dreams at the very moment when all would be finished for her.
Cimme, in the garden, played with the little Joseph and the dog, amusing himself much, with the gaiety of a great man in the country, without thought of the dying woman.
But suddenly he entered, addressing the maid: "Say, then, my girl, are you going to give us some luncheon? What are you going to eat, ladies?"
They decided upon an omelet of fine herbs, a piece of fillet with new potatoes, a cheese, and a cup of coffee.
And as Madame Columbel was fumbling in her pocket for her purse: Cimme stopped her, and turning to the maid said, "You need money?" and she answered: "Yes, sir."
"How much?"