And to a great number he was able to reply by their names: "Good morning, Jacque!" ... "Good morning, Pascal!" He knew the voices of all those who had long been in his employ. When he hesitated, which was rarely, for he knew almost all, he would stop and say: "It's you, is it not?" mentioning the speaker's name.
If he made a mistake he explained why he had done so.
Walking thus, it was a slow walk from the factories to the offices. She led him to his armchair; then he dismissed her.
"Until tomorrow," he said; "I shall want you then."
CHAPTER XVII
HARD QUESTIONS
THE next morning, at the same hour as on the previous day, Monsieur Paindavoine entered the workshops, guided by the manager. Perrine wanted to go and meet him, but she could not at this moment as she was busy transmitting orders from the chief machinist to the men who were working for him—masons, carpenters, smiths, mechanics. Clearly and without repetition, she explained to each one what orders were given to him; then she interpreted for the chief machinist the questions or objections which the French workmen desired to address to him.
Perrine's grandfather had drawn near. The voices stopped as the tap of his cane announced his approach, but he made a sign for them to continue the same as though he were not there.
And while Perrine, obeying him, went on talking with the men, he said quietly to the manager, though not low enough but that Perrine heard: