"Wait a minute; I don't just remember what she said. She tried to comfort me, and then—yes, I think she offered me money."
"Money?"
"Yes. I don't know what for, but she said: 'Take this;' and then, faith! I don't know what else she said. All I know is that I told her to let me alone; she interfered with my looking for you. When she saw that I wouldn't answer her, she left me."
"And you didn't take her money?"
"Oh, no! indeed I didn't!"
"That was right, Ballangier; you did right to refuse. Didn't she say anything else to you?"
"Mon Dieu! I didn't listen to her at all. I was looking all the time to see if I could see you pass, and I just said to her: 'Oh! let me look for Charles; you prevent my finding him!'—And she went off."
"Poor fellow! Here, take this; pay your creditor—you owe him twenty-nine francs, I believe—that is, if someone hasn't already taken it upon herself to pay him, as I am inclined to think."
"Someone? Nonsense! who could it be?"
"A person whom you don't know, but I do. However, you must look up this Piaulard, and find out about it. Then go to work, straighten yourself out, make yourself a good workman, and come to see me if you need my help."