And a lot of expense it is too, perfect ruination.

Yes, indeed, every possible misfortune has fallen on us." In this wise Madame Toussaint rattled on for a full half hour.

Then seeing that waiting and anxiety had made her sister-in-law turn quite pale, she suddenly stopped short.

"You're losing patience, eh ?" she exclaimed.

"The fact is, that Toussaint won't be back for some time.
Shall we go to the works together?
I'll easily find out if he's likely to bring any money home." They then decided to go down, but at the bottom of the stairs they lingered for another quarter of an hour chatting with a neighbour who had lately lost a child.