"I have only just commenced it," replied Perrine timidly.
"M. Theodore interrupted you just now. What did he want?"
"A French and English dictionary."
"What for? He doesn't know English."
"He did not tell me why he wanted it."
"Did he want to know what was in the letter?" asked Talouel.
"I had only commenced the first phrase," said Perrine, evasively.
"You don't ask me to believe that you have not read it?"
"I have not yet translated it."
"I ask you if you have read it."