"Edouard told me that——"
"Edouard made a mistake; it's for one of the other tenants; you had better see."
"But there's no other tenant on this floor, sir ... I can't make out..."
"Well, it was not for me. What does all this mean? Oh, you annoy me! Take it away."
The poor woman began to fold the cloth, looking at me reproachfully, like a favourite dog who has been beaten.
"I suppose you've had dinner already, sir," she said, timidly.
"No doubt."
"That is a pity, because this dinner is quite ready, and now it will be wasted, and the boy'll get a scolding from his father. If you hadn't had your dinner already, sir, you would have very much obliged me if——"
I stamped my foot violently.
"Leave the room, I tell you," I said, and as she was going out I went up to her. "My good Louison," I said, "I understand, and I thank you; but I am not very well to-night, and I have no appetite."