"I am a thief! I rob my family! My children despise me! It were better if
I were dead!"
When he had finished whining, Jean-Christophe did not budge, but asked him harshly:
"Where is the piano?"
"At Wormser's," said Melchior, not daring to look at him.
Jean-Christophe took a step forward, and said:
"The money!"
Melchior, crushed, took the money from his pocket and gave it to his son.
Jean-Christophe turned towards the door. Melchior called him:
"Jean-Christophe!"
Jean-Christophe stopped. Melchior went on in a quavering voice:
"Dear Jean-Christophe … do not despise me!"