They were finishing their coffee when the corporal of police appeared on the threshold.
He asked:
"Master Hauchecorne, of Bréauté—is he here?"
Hauchecorne, seated at the other end of the table, answered:
"Here I am."
And the corporal resumed:
"Master Hauchecorne, will you have the kindness to come with me to the mayor's office? The mayor would like to speak to you."
The peasant, surprised and disturbed, tossed off his drink and arose, worse bent than in the morning; because the first steps after a rest were always especially difficult. He started off, repeating:
"Here I am; here I am."
And he followed the corporal.