居伊·德·莫泊桑/GuydeMaupassant
Asthemayorwasabouttositdowntobreakfast,wordwasbroughttohimthattheruralpoliceman,withtwoprisoners,-classcouplewhomhewasregardingwithasevereexpressiononhisface.
Theman,afatoldfellowwitharednoseandwhitehair,seemedutterlydejected;whilethewoman,alittleroundaboutindividualwithshiningcheeks,lookedattheofficialwhohadarrestedthem,withdefianteyes.
“Whatisit?Whatisit,Hochedur?”
Theruralpolicemanmadehisdeposition.
Hehadgoneoutthatmorningathisusualtime,,andthatthewheatwasdoingwell,whenthesonofoldBredel,whowasgoingoverhisvines,calledouttohim:
“Here,DaddyHochedur,!”
Hewentinthedirectionindicated,enteredthethicket,,therefore,onhishandsandkneesasiftosurpriseapoacher,hehadarrestedthecouplewhomhefoundthere.
Themayorlookedattheculpritsinastonishment,forthemanwascertainlysixty,andthewomanfifty-fiveatleast,andhebegantoquestionthem,beginningwiththeman,whorepliedinsuchaweakvoicethathecouldscarcelybeheard.
“Whatisyourname?”
“NicholasBeaurain.”
“Youroccupation?”
“Haberdasher,intheRuedesMartyrs,inParis.”
“Whatwereyoudoinginthewood?”
Thehaberdasherremainedsilent,withhiseyesonhisfatpaunch,andhishandshangingathissides,andthemayorcontinued:
“Doyoudenywhattheofficerofthemunicipalauthoritiesstates?”
“No,monsieur.”
“Soyouconfessit?”
“Yes,monsieur.”
“Whathaveyoutosayinyourdefence？”
“Nothing,monsieur.”
“Wheredidyoumeetthepartnerinyourmisdemeanor?”
“Sheismywife,monsieur.”
“Yourwife?”
“Yes,monsieur.”
“Then-then-youdonotlivetogether-inParis?”
“Ibegyourpardon,monsieur,butwearelivingtogether!”
