"I daresay you're surprised to see me as we're at daggers drawn.

But I've come neither for you nor myself you may be quite sure.

It's for mother Coupeau that I've come.

Yes, I have come to see if we're going to let her beg her bread from the charity of others." "Ah, well, that's a fine way to burst in upon one!" murmured Madame Lorilleux.

"One must have a rare cheek." And she turned her back and resumed drawing her gold wire, affecting to ignore her sister-in-law's presence.