Rosalie drew Perrine out of the crowd, then went up to Talouel.
"Monsieur," she said, "here's a friend of mine who wants a job."
Talouel glanced sharply at the friend.
"In a moment ... we'll see," he replied curtly.
Rosalie, who knew what to do, signed to Perrine to stand aside and wait. At this moment there was a slight commotion at the gates, and the crowd drew aside respectfully to allow Monsieur Paindavoine's carriage to pass. The same young man who had driven him the evening before was now driving. Although everyone knew that their chief, Vulfran Paindavoine, was blind, all the men took off their hats as he passed and the women curtseyed.
"You see he's not the last one to come," said Rosalie, as the phaeton passed through the gates, "but his nephews likely will be late."
The clock struck, then a few late comers came running up. A young man came hurrying along, arranging his tie as he ran.
"Good morning, Talouel," he said; "is uncle here yet?"
"Yes, Monsieur Theodore," said the foreman, "he got here a good five minutes ago."
"Oh!"