"You may rely on me, monsieur." Then he began to listen.

The clatter of crockery did not cease in the adjoining room.

People were still eating there with that impulsive voracity which had spread from one to the other end of Lourdes.

And all at once a voice was heard calling for more bread.
"Excuse me," hastily resumed Cazaban, "my boarders want me." And thereupon he rushed away, his hands still greasy through fingering the comb.
The door remained open for a second, and on the walls of the dining-room Pierre espied various religious prints, and notably a view of the Grotto, which surprised him; in all probability, however, the hairdresser only hung these engravings there during the pilgrimage season by way of pleasing his boarders.
It was now nearly three o'clock.

When the young priest and M.de Guersaint got outside they were astonished at the loud pealing of bells which was flying through the air.