What did you feel ?" he said aloud.
"I was knocked over so suddenly--" "The skin is rubbed off under your chin," said Corentin quickly.
"I think," said the corporal, "that a rope did go over my face." "I have it!" cried Corentin; "somebody tied a rope from tree to tree to bar the way." "Like enough," replied the corporal.
Corentin went downstairs to the kitchen.
"Come, you old rascal," Michu was saying to Violette, "let's make an end of this.

One hundred thousand francs for the place, and you are master of my whole property.

I shall retire on my income." "I tell you, as there's a God in heaven, I haven't more than sixty thousand." "But don't I offer you time to pay the rest?
You've kept me here since yesterday, arguing it.

The land is in prime order." "Yes, the soil is good," said Violette.
"Wife, some more wine," cried Michu.
"Haven't you drunk enough ?" called down Marthe's mother.

"This is the fourteenth bottle since nine o'clock yesterday." "You have been here since nine o'clock this morning, haven't you ?" said Corentin to Violette.
"No, beg your pardon, since last night I haven't left the place, and I've gained nothing after all; the more he makes me drink the more he puts up the price." "In all markets he who raises his elbow raises a price," said Corentin.
A dozen empty bottles ranged along the table proved the truth of the old woman's words.