Pauline and Victor walked on her right and left.

Then the entire crowd of urchins followed in order, the big ones first, the little ones next, jostling one another; a baby in long skirts about as tall as a boot with an old tattered bonnet cocked on one side of its head, brought up the rear.

And the procession chanted something sad with plenty of ohs! and ahs! Nana had said that they were going to play at a funeral; the potato parings represented the body.

When they had gone the round of the courtyard, they recommenced.

They thought it immensely amusing.
"What can they be up to ?" murmured Madame Boche, who emerged from her room to see, ever mistrustful and on the alert.
And when she understood: "But it's my shoe!" cried she furiously.