Marthe ground her teeth.
"Ange, I won't have it—I won't. I tell you all our lives are at stake, and you discuss Madelon's health."
"My dearest, don't be vexed; indeed, I am trying to think what can be done."
"Now, Ange, listen to me. If you will go on with this mad business, there is only one thing to be done. I have thought it all out. They must do with as little as possible, and you must not go there oftener than once in four days. You will go at eleven o'clock at night when there is no one abroad, and Louise will meet you half-way and take the basket on. There must be no other communication of any sort: you hear me, Aline?"
"Yes," said Aline, "I think you are quite right."
"That is always a consolation." Marthe's voice took a sarcastic tone. "Now, Ange, do you agree?"
"If you really think——"
"Why, yes, I do. Ange, I 'm a cross animal, but I can't see you throw your life away and not say a word. I 'm a useless cripple enough, but I have the use of my tongue. Will you promise?"
"Well—yes."
"That's right. Now for goodness let's talk about something else. If there 's going to be trouble it will come, and we need n't go over and over it all before it does come. Aline, do, for the love of heaven, remember that I cannot bear the light in my eyes like that. Put the lamp over here, behind me, and then you can take a book and read aloud so as to give us all a chance of composing our minds."