Dionis, who was doing duty as auctioneeer, declared, as each lot was cried out, that the heirs only sold the article (whatever it was) and not what it might contain; then, before allowing it to be taken away it was subjected to a final investigation, being thumped and sounded; and when at last it left the house the sellers followed with the looks a father might cast upon a son who was starting for India.
"Ah, mademoiselle," cried La Bougival, returning from the first session in despair, "I shall not go again.

Monsieur Bongrand is right, you could never bear the sight.

Everything is ticketed.

All the town is coming and going just as in the street; the handsome furniture is being ruined, they even stand upon it; the whole place is such a muddle that a hen couldn't find her chicks.

You'd think there had been a fire.