And there are many other
tricks to which they resort in their eagerness to make money."
As the doctor and Mathieu chatted on, they paused for a moment near the
door of the refectory, which chanced to be open, and there, among other
young peasant women, they espied La Couteau hastily partaking of cold
meat. Doubtless she had just arrived from Rougemont, and, after disposing
of the batch of nurses she had brought with her, was seeking sustenance
for the various visits which she would have to make before returning
home. The refectory, with its wine-stained tables and greasy walls, cast
a smell like that of a badly-kept sink.
"Ah! so you know La Couteau!" exclaimed Boutan, when Mathieu had told him
of his meetings with the woman. "Then you know the depths of crime. La
Couteau is an ogress! And yet, think of it, with our fine social
organization, she is more or less useful, and perhaps I myself shall be
happy to choose one of the nurses that she has brought with her."
At this moment Madame Broquette very amiably asked the visitors into her
office. After long reflection, the old gentleman had gone off without
selecting any nurse, but saying that he would return some other time.
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