They were eight in number, each with her pot of glue, pincers, tools and curling stand in front of her.

On the work-table lay a mass of wire, reels, cotton wool, green and brown paper, leaves and petals cut out of silk, satin or velvet.

In the centre, in the neck of a large decanter, one flower-girl had thrust a little penny nosegay which had been fading on her breast since the day before.
"Oh, I have some news," said a pretty brunette named Leonie as she leaned over her cushion to crimp some rose petals.

"Poor Caroline is very unhappy about that fellow who used to wait for her every evening." "Ah!" said Nana, who was cutting thin strips of green paper.

"A man who cheats on her every day!" Madame Lerat had to display severity over the muffled laughter.