D'Apreval, who had not the least idea, turned to his companion:
"What are you paying for poultry in Fécamp, my dear lady?"
"Four francs, and four francs, fifty centimes," she said with her eyes full of tears, and the farmer's wife, who was looking at her askance, in much surprise, asked:
"Is the lady ill, as she is crying?"
He did not know what to say, and replied with some hesitation:
"No ... no ... but she lost her watch as we came, a very handsome watch, and that troubles her. If anybody should find it, please let us know."
Mother Benedict did not reply, as she thought it a very equivocal soft of answer, but suddenly she exclaimed:
"Oh! here is my husband!"
She was the only one who had seen him, as she was facing the gate. D'Apreval started, and Madame de Cadour nearly fell, as she turned round suddenly on her chair.
A man who was bent nearly double and who was panting for breath, was there, ten yards from them, dragging a cow at the end of a rope; and without taking any notice of the visitors, he said: