The old man thus addressed did not stir, and the old woman repeated,—
"Monsieur Mabœuf!"
The old man, without taking his eyes off the ground, decided to answer,—
"Well, Mother Plutarch!"
"Mother Plutarch!" Gavroche thought, "that's another rum name."
Mother Plutarch continued, and the old gentleman was compelled to submit to the conversation.
"The landlord is not satisfied."
"Why so?"
"There are three quarters owing."
"In three months more we shall owe four."