[66] 18. les longues stations à la porte des bouchers. During the siege of Paris the people bought bons, or checks, from the government, upon presentation of which their limited rations were supplied; long lines were formed in front of the dealers in food products; as the winter weather was extremely severe, this caused great physical suffering and sickness to many, especially to those of the poorer class, as the mother in the story.
[67] 2. armée de la Commune: the armée des fédérés; see note on p. 66, l. 3.
[67] 27. Il en était là de ses funèbres réflexions: he was at that point with his doleful thoughts.
[68] 4. N'empêche que si: all the same, if, etc.
[68] 5-6. Prends tes jambes à ton cou: hurry up, pick up your heels.
[68] 6. fiche-moi le camp: get out of here.
[68] 13. Oui da! Come now!
[68] 17. accroire: believe, swallow that.
[68] 31. en tourmentant sa moustache: twirling his moustache.
[70] 7-8. ne peut plus que sangloter: could do nothing but sob, broke down completely. The French often uses the present of the verb in vivid narration where the English uses the past.