Since he put the question to her, she thought that she ought to reply truthfully. It would solve the problem that had caused her so much anxiety.
"Monsieur Theodore and Monsieur Talouel came into the office," she said.
"Ah!..."
He seemed as though he wanted to say more, but refrained.
"Give me the letter first," he said, "and we'll see to the other matter after. Sit down beside me and read slowly. Don't raise your voice."
She read. Her voice was somewhat weak.
As she read the blind man murmured to himself from time to time: "Model couple" ... "social pleasures" ... "English houses" ... "which?" ... "One of his friends" ... "Which friend?"
When she had finished there was a silence. Finally M. Vulfran spoke:
"Can you translate into English as well as you translate English into French?" he asked.
"I can do it if the phrases are not too difficult," she replied.