And, as Jeanne did not answer directly, the lady insisted, more sharply:
"Say, have you children, yes or no?"
"I have a little girl," she confessed, timidly.
Then, making grimaces and gestures as if she were scattering a lot of flies, she cried:
"Oh! no child in the house; no child in the house; not under any consideration. Where is your little girl?"
"She is with my husband's aunt."
"And what is this aunt?"
"She keeps a wine-shop in Rouen."
"A deplorable calling. Drunkenness and debauchery,—that is a pretty example for a little girl! However, that concerns you, that is your affair. How old is your little girl?"
"Eighteen months, Madame."