“Ah! that’s so. Pardieu! I’ll give ten sous.”
“That isn’t much for a baron! but perhaps it’s enough for you. I will collect the offerings in this preserve dish.”
“Faith! the money can go to its address at once,” said Chamoureau; “for, as I wanted little Emile to make a public apology to my wife, I told Jacqueline to bring him to us while we were at dinner.”
Thélénie glared at her husband with a savage gleam in her eyes.
“What, monsieur? what did you say? this nurse——”
“Is coming here, my dear love, with the little vagabond, to apologize to you. It’s a little surprise I arranged for you. Then we will give the good woman the money we have collected for her. I can see her joy now; it will make a charming picture!”
“Why, monsieur, you have no common sense! What need have we of that peasant woman’s presence, to bore us with her chatter?”
At that moment a servant came forward and said:
“There’s a country woman outside with a little boy; she wishes to pay her respects to madame.”