36. “You were seen.”
37. “They saw me, me? Who’s it 'as seen me?”
Note how the complication is involved by personal prejudice.
38. “Monsieur Malandin, the harness-maker.”
39. Then the old man remembered, and understood. Reddening with rage, he cried:
40. “Ah! he saw me, that cad! He saw me pick up this here string—look, m’sieu le maire.”
41. And, fumbling at the bottom of his pocket, he pulled out the little bit of cord.
42. But the mayor, incredulous, shook his head.
43. “You will not make me believe, Master Hauchecorne, that Monsieur Malandin, who is a man worthy of belief, has mistaken that bit of string for a pocketbook.”
44. The peasant, furious, raised his hand and spat to one side, thus to attest his honor, repeating: