“Butinthatcase-youmustbemad,altogethermad,mydearsir,togetcaughtplayingloversinthecountryattenoclockinthemorning.”
Thehaberdasherseemedreadytocrywithshame,andhemuttered:“Itwasshewhoenticedme!Itoldheritwasverystupid,butwhenawomanoncegetsathingintoherhead-youknow-youcannotgetitout.”
Themayor,wholikedajoke,smiledandreplied:“Inyourcase,,ifshehadhadtheideaonlyinherhead.”
ThenMonsieurBeauainwasseizedwithrageandturningtohiswife,hesaid:“Doyouseetowhatyouhavebroughtuswithyourpoetry?Andnowweshallhavetogobeforethecourtsatourage,forabreachofmorals!Andweshallhavetoshutuptheshop,sellourgoodwill,andgotosomeotherneighborhood!Thatswhatithascometo.”
MadameBeauraingotup,andwithoutlookingatherhusband,sheexplainedherselfwithoutembarrassment,withoutuselessmodesty,andalmostwithouthesitation.
Ofcourse,monsieur,,orratherlikeapoorwoman?AndIhopethatyouwillbekindenoughtosendushome,andtospareusthedisgraceofaprosecution.
Yearsago,whenIwasyoung,ImadeMonsieurBeaurain’’sshop,,RoseLeveque,withwhomIlivedintheRuePigalle,andRosehadasweetheart,,,butIrepliedthatitwouldbenogood;forIwasvirtuous,monsieur.
ThenextdaywemetMonsieurBeaurainattherailwaystation,andinthosedayshewasgood-looking,butIhadmadeupmymindnottoencouragehim,,,,justasitusedtobeformerly,Igrowquitefoolish,,theswallowsflyingsoswiftly,thesmellofthegrass,thescarletpoppies,thedaisies,!
