Francine, more and more astonished, proceeded to place on the table a plate, a knife and a fork.
"M'sieur le Curé is coming?" she said, drawing up a chair.
"No, Francine."
"Not M'sieur le Curé? Who, then?"
"It is for you, Francine. Sit down."
"I? I, M'sieur le Comte?"
"Sit down. I wish it."
Francine took three steps backward and so as to command the exit, stopped and stared at her master, with mingled amazement and distrust.
"My dear Francine," continued the Comte, "I am tired of eating alone. It is bad for the digestion. And I am bored. I have need of society. So sit down."
"M'sieur orders it?"