"So I have; great heaven! what was I thinking about?"
"Ha! ha! she sticks things in her bosom and then goes looking for 'em! She'll end by looking for her nose."
"And she won't find it; she's flat-nosed."
"Ha! ha! ha!"
"Good! there goes Euphémie again!"
"Bless my soul! how can I help laughing, when you say such silly things?"
"Look at Elina—she don't laugh, and she don't keep her tongue clacking; so she gets ahead with her skirt."
"Oh! Elina's preoccupied; she's been very pensive for some time; that's why she don't talk."
"I didn't suppose I was forbidden to think," rejoined little Elina gravely, and without raising her eyes.
"Of course not; thoughts are free, and they use their freedom! they're very lucky, our thoughts are; they can travel, they can run about the fields and go into whatever company they choose; while we have to sit here, planted on our chairs, and sew all day long! God! what fun! When shall I have a million a year, so that I can coddle myself and sleep and eat méringues all day? Oh! méringues—they're a high-toned delicacy, I tell you!"