"Permit me; oh! permit me."
"And all the dirty creatures whom you meet in the fields!"
I heard the floor creak under Monsieur's feet, as he walked back and forth in the salon, with feverish animation.
"I? Well, indeed, such ideas as you have! Where did you find them all, my pet?"
Madame was obstinate:
"And the little Jézureau? And only fifteen years old, you wretch! And on whose account I had to pay five hundred francs! But for which, to-day you perhaps would be in prison, like your thief of a father."
Monsieur stopped walking. He sank into a chair. He became silent.
The discussion ended with these words from Madame:
"However, it is all one to me. I am not jealous. You can behave as you like with this Célestine. But it must not cost me any money."
Oh, no! Now I have them both.