They argued for a long time, La Noyelle repeating the words, "a little glass."
"I want to go to sleep," said one of the girls in bed. "How long is this going to keep up? And we got to be up early tomorrow."
"Oh, Lord! and it's like this every Sunday," sighed another.
And little Perrine had thought that if she only had a roof over her head she would be able to sleep in peace! The open fields, with their dark shadows and the chances of bad weather, was far better than this crowded room, reeking with odors that were almost suffocating her. She wondered if she would be able to pass the night in this dreadful room.
The argument was still going on at the foot of the stairs. La Noyelle's voice could be heard repeating "a little glass."
"I'm goin' to help Laide," said one, "or this'll last till tomorrow." The woman got up and went down the narrow stairs. Then came the sound of angry voices, heavy footsteps and blows. The people on the ground floor came out to see what was the matter, and finally everyone in the house was awake.
At last La Noyelle was dragged into the room, crying out in despair.
"What have I done to you that you should be so unkind to me?"
Ignoring her complaints, they undressed her and put her into bed, but even then she did not sleep, but continued to moan and cry.
"What have I done to you girls that you should treat me so badly. I'm very unhappy, and I'm thirsty."