I knocked, for Nicette had not the requisite courage; there was no reply.
“She sleeps very soundly,” I said to the girl.
“Oh, no, monsieur! that means that she don’t intend to let me in.”
“Parbleu! she’ll have to answer.”
I knocked again; we heard a movement inside, then someone approached the door, and a hoarse voice demanded:
“Who’s that knocking at this time of night?”
“It’s me, mother.”
“Ah! it’s you, is it, you shameless hussy! and you think I’ll let you in after midnight, when you’ve been setting men to fighting and turning a whole quarter upside down! Off with you this minute, and don’t ever let me see you again!”
“Mother! please let me in; my sister has deceived you.”
“No, no; I know the whole story. You’re a cursed little pig-headed fool! Ah! you don’t choose to be a pork man’s wife, don’t you? All right! go and walk the streets; we’ll see if you have pig’s pudding to eat every day!”