Well then, let the Laveuves die in the street, since they refuse to be with us, and be warm and eat in our asylums!" The General and Amadieu nodded their heads approvingly.

But Duvillard showed himself more generous.

"No, no, indeed! A man's a man after all, and should be succoured in spite of himself." Eve, however, in despair at the idea that she would be robbed of her afternoon, struggled and sought for reasons.

"I assure you that my hands are altogether tied.

Monsieur l'Abbe does not doubt my heart or my zeal.
But how call I possibly assemble the Committee without a few days' delay?
And I have particular reasons for coming to no decision, especially in an affair which has already been inquired into and pronounced upon, without the Committee's sanction." Then, all at once she found a solution: "What I advise you to do, Monsieur l'Abbe, is to go at once to see Monsieur Fonsegue, our managing director.