That Benard and Madame Joseph were not bad-hearted in reality was shown
by the fact that although Euphrasie was now but an useless encumbrance,
they kept her with them, instead of flinging her into the streets as
others would have done.
"Why, there you are again in the middle of the room!" suddenly exclaimed
the fat woman, who each time that she went hither and thither found it
necessary to avoid the other's chair. "How funny it is that you can never
put yourself in a corner! Auguste will be coming in for his four o'clock
snack in a moment, and he won't be at all pleased if he doesn't find his
cheese and his glass of wine on the table."
Without replying, Euphrasie nervously staggered to her feet, and with the
greatest trouble dragged her chair towards the table. Then she sat down
again limp and very weary.
Just as Madame Joseph was bringing the cheese, Benard, whose workshop was
near by, made his appearance. He was still a full-bodied, jovial fellow,
and began to jest with his sister-in-law while showing great politeness
towards Mathieu, whom he thanked for taking interest in his unhappy
wife's condition. "_Mon Dieu_, monsieur," said he, "it isn't her fault;
it is all due to those rascally doctors at the hospital.
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