What was to be done? She stood in the middle of the store with her hand open. She was in despair.
"If you'll take the florin there will be only thirteen sous lacking," she said at last, "and I'll bring them this afternoon."
But the druggist would not agree to this arrangement. He would neither give her credit for thirteen sous nor accept the florin.
"As there is no hurry for the wine," he said, "you can come and fetch it this afternoon. I'll prepare the other things at once and they'll only cost you three francs fifty."
With the money that remained she bought some eggs, a little Vienna loaf which she thought might tempt her mother's appetite, and then she returned to the Field, running as fast as she could all the way.
"The eggs are fresh," she said. "I held them up to the light. And look at the bread! Isn't it a beautiful loaf, mama? You'll eat it, won't you?"
"Yes, darling."
Both were full of hope. Perrine had absolute faith in the doctor, and was certain that he would perform the miracle. Why should he deceive them? When one asks the doctor to tell the truth, doesn't he do so?
Hope had given the sick woman an appetite. She had eaten nothing for two days; now she ate a half of the roll.
"You see," said Perrine, gleefully.