"You say so. However, we haven't reached that yet. How old are you?"
"Twenty-six."
"Twenty-six? Not counting the nursing months, no doubt? You look much older. It is not worth while to deceive me."
"I am not deceiving Madame. I assure Madame I am only twenty-six. If I look older, it is because I have been sick a long time."
"Oh! you have been sick?" replied the bourgeoise, in a voice of sneering severity. "Oh! you have been sick a long time? I warn you, my girl, that the place, though not a very hard one, is of some importance, and that I must have a woman of very good health."
Jeanne tried to repair her imprudent words. She declared:
"Oh! I am cured, quite cured."
"That is your affair. Moreover, we haven't reached that yet. You are married or single, which? What are you?"
"I am a widow, Madame."
"Ah! You have no child, I suppose?"