I don't owe you anything, and, moreover, there's prescription; but after all----how much do you want ?" "He has had his say: now it's my turn!" The old rascal's mate softened the tone of her voice.

Imagine to yourself a saw licking a tree before biting in.
"Listen, Claus, my dear--listen to what Monsieur Colonel Fougas has to say.

You'll see that he is reasonable! It's not in him to think of ruining poor people like us.

Oh, Heavens! he is not capable of it.

He has such a noble heart! Such a disinterested man! An officer worthy of the great Napoleon (God receive his soul!)." "That's enough, old lady!" said Fougas, with a curt gesture which cut the speech off in the middle.