"Ah!..."
Behind the door left ajar we strained uneasy ears; the speaker went on with his speech:
"You are not ignorant, madam, of the painful necessities of the war, and I am sorry to have to tell you that we are in need of your house...."
"Oh!"
It was Geneviève who uttered this stifled cry. Mme. Valaine had no voice to answer.
The orator continued:
"... We are in need of your house for a printing office. It corresponds exactly with our wishes."
"But it is my own house; I live in it with my family. I have a right to stay in it...."
"Madam, I am very sorry, but we want it. To-day is Thursday; I think we can wait till Monday next to take possession of the place."
"But it is impossible ... my furniture...."