United States or Belize ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
These men knew the habits of M. Vulfran, his nephews, and Talouel, of whom she stood so much in fear; a word from them would enlighten her and she might be shown a danger which she did not even suspect, and if she was aware of it she could avoid it. She would not spy upon them. She would not listen at doors. When they were speaking they knew that they were not alone.
Perrine did not need to be told this. She seemed to know at once that this was the foreman Talouel. "Do I come in with you?" asked Perrine. "Sure!" This was a decisive moment for little Perrine, but she controlled her nervousness and drew herself up to her full height. Why should they not take her if they took everyone? Rosalie drew Perrine out of the crowd, then went up to Talouel.
So he usually began with these words, "I suppose that you want...." He had the subtlety of the peasant, always on the alert, and his quality for spying made him stop at nothing to get the information he desired. M. Vulfran usually made the same reply when Talouel had "supposed" something. "Exactly," the blind man would say.
I wonder who he meant had tried to tempt her? "I thought it my duty to tell you this, because while M. Edmond is away you two take his place," added Talouel. He had given them several thrusts, but he wanted to give them one last sharp knock. "Of course, M. Edmond might return at any moment," he said. "I believe that your uncle is on the right track at last.
He spoke in a loud, bullying voice which could be heard throughout the offices. As the two girls were about to go M. Vulfran Paindavoine appeared, guiding himself with his hand along the wall. "What's it all about, Talouel? What's the matter here?" "Nothing much, sir," replied the foreman. "One of the girls has hurt her hand." "Where is she?"
Talouel was standing on the porch, walking up and down with his hands in his pockets, his hat on his head. He seemed to be taking a general survey, like a captain on the bridge. "What's the matter now?" he cried, angrily, when he saw the two girls. Rosalie showed him her bleeding hand. "Wrap your paw up in your handkerchief then," he said, roughly.
Ruchon," he said, turning to Talouel, "and tell him to call at Mother Françoise's house; say that the matter is urgent and he must go there at once." "Do you want anyone to go with you?" he asked, addressing Rosalie. "Oh, thank you, Monsieur Vulfran; I have a friend here with me," she replied. "She can go with you then, and tell your grandmother that you will be paid while you are away."
Those who counted on being the master there, 'cause he fell ill have been put in their places." She lowered her voice. "His nephews and Talouel; they're the ones I mean." Aunt Zenobie came to the door. "Say, Rosalie, have you finished, you young loafer?" she called. "I've only just this minute got through," answered Rosalie, defiantly. "Well, there are some customers to wait on ... come on."
Simultaneously, Theodore and Talouel cast a quick look at M. Vulfran, but catching each other in this act, which betrayed that each was intensely curious, they both assumed an indifferent air. "I'm putting the letter on your table, uncle," said Theodore. "Give it to me," replied M. Vulfran.
"And you were interrupted, were you not? I heard the door of your office open and close twice." Since he put the question to her, she thought that she ought to reply truthfully. It would solve the problem that had caused her so much anxiety. "Monsieur Theodore and Monsieur Talouel came into the office," she said. "Ah!..." He seemed as though he wanted to say more, but refrained.
Word Of The Day