"Nor I, either," added tall Mouillot. "I want to decide whether she's as good-looking as Balivan claims.—Au revoir, Albert! Go on, if you're in a hurry."
"No; I still have some time to spare, and I also am curious to see the neighbor. I will go with you, messieurs."
"But how shall we get her to open the door?"
"That's a simple matter. We will knock, stamp heavily on the floor, and say in a deep voice: 'The water carrier, mamzelle.'—The water carriers always come early, and people open their doors for them, even when they're only half dressed. She'll open for us."
And the young men went upstairs, leaving Varinet still asleep, with his olive in his pocket.
When they reached the upper landing, they were surprised to find two open doors.
"It seems that we shall not have to play water carrier," they said. "Can it be that the pretty neighbor sleeps with her door open? That would indicate the confidence of innocence—or just the opposite. Which door shall we go in?"
"Let chance decide."
Chance led them into the small room below the loft. There their attention was attracted by the fervent protestations of love repeated by Paul and Elina, who did not hear them enter the room; for lovers, when they are swearing to adore each other, never hear anything else.
Thereupon the young men made their comments aloud.