—You have asked somebody then? she enquired.
—Yes, replied Marcel, I ask you, Veronica.
The woman smiled.
She went and assured herself that the door below was shut and that the shutters were quite closed, put together a bundle of wood which she placed partly on the hearth, and without further invitation, sat down facing her master.
—We are at home, and inquisitive people will not trouble us.
Marcel was offended at thus being placed on a footing of equality with his servant. Nevertheless he did not allow it to be seen. "It is my fault," he thought, and he answered quietly:
—We have no reason to dread inquisitive persons, we are not going to do anything wrong.
—Ah, Jesus, no. But, you know, if they saw your servant sitting at your table, they would not wait to look for the why and wherefore, they would begin to chatter.
—It is true.
—And one likes to be at home when one has anything to say, is it not so,
Monsieur le Curé?