"Be easy, then! Haven't I told you there's nothing to fear?"
Nevertheless he asked anxiously:
"There's nothing more I'm wanted for here, is there? I've told you all I know."
"No, no, it's all right!" replied Mother Toulouche, maternal and conciliating, "there's nothing more for you to do here.... Still, if you want to see big Ernestine...."
Without waiting to hear the end of her sentence Redhead hurried towards the exit. Mother Toulouche did not try to detain him:
"After all," she said in a low tone to his back as a kind of farewell, "cut your sticks, my lad ... since you're funky!"
When alone she grumbled aloud:
"What a lot they are!... I never did!... White-livered, and for nothing at all!"
Mother Toulouche was still muttering when big Ernestine marched in through the back way. She had on a large hat and was heavily veiled. She proceeded to remove both hat and veil:
"Well?" she queried.