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Updated: June 13, 2025
Mme Lerat went to fetch a water bottle to mix herself some brandy and water, the lumps of sugar having rendered her thirsty. Zoe muttered something to the effect that she really didn't mind if she drank something too. Her mouth, she averred, was as bitter as gall. "So you put him ?" continued Mme Maloir. "Oh yes, I put him in the closet at the end of the room, the little unfurnished one.
Mme Maloir, a respectable-looking and mannerly woman, was Nana's old friend, chaperon and companion. Mme Lerat's presence seemed to fidget her at first. Afterward, when she became aware that it was Nana's aunt, she looked at her with a sweet expression and a die-away smile.
Suddenly Mme Maloir forgot herself and in a ringing voice announced: "I've the five hundred! Trumps, Major Quint!" "Oh, do be quiet!" said Zoe angrily. "What will all those gentlemen think?" And in the silence which ensued and amid the whispered muttering of the two old women at strife over their game, the sound of rapid footsteps ascended from the back stairs. It was Nana at last.
But on certain days, when she had neither Mme Maloir nor her aunt and Louiset with her, she grew mortally dull. Thus one Sunday, when she was bargaining for some pigeons at La Rochefoucauld Market, she was delighted to meet Satin, who, in her turn, was busy purchasing a bunch of radishes. Since the evening when the prince had drunk Fontan's champagne they had lost sight of one another. "What?
I I'm going to play a game of bezique with Madame Maloir. I prefer doing that." The bell interrupted her remarks. That was the last straw. Another of the beggars yet!
Well, you were certainly right. It will be charming, and, by heaven, we'll come and see you!" But when Louiset arrived on the scene astride upon a broomstick, Prulliere chuckled spitefully and remarked: "Well, I never! You've got a baby already?" This struck everybody as very droll, and Mme Lerat and Mme Maloir shook with laughter.
But Mme Maloir was wont to listen to other people's secrets without even confessing anything concerning herself. People said that she lived on a mysterious allowance in a room whither no one ever penetrated. All of a sudden Nana grew excited. "Don't play with the knives, Aunt. You know it gives me a turn!" Without thinking about it Mme Lerat had crossed two knives on the table in front of her.
"Oh, she's a good girl, you bet!" said Nana, who was listening to her with tender interest and a sort of submissive admiration. "Now I've had my troubles," began Mme Lerat. And edging up to Mme Maloir, she imparted to her certain confidential confessions. Both ladies took lumps of sugar dipped in cognac and sucked them.
Returning presently, she saw Mme Maloir questioning her with a glance. "It's nothing," she said, "only a bouquet." All three refreshed themselves, nodding to each other in token of salutation. Then while Zoe was at length busy clearing the table, bringing the plates out one by one and putting them in the sink, two other rings followed close upon one another.
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