"I know that you're not old, but still your health isn't very good, and then you didn't use to need to work for your living."
"Oh! my dear, we must never say such things as that, and sigh over the past! If one has been happy, so much the better; if one is so no longer, so much the worse; regrets don't help and only make our position worse!"
"All this doesn't give you any nice, hot, sweet drink, and that is what you must have!"
"Don't despair, we are not altogether without resources. You know that I have--your father's watch; and if it is absolutely necessary, why----"
"What's that you say! my father's watch, which you think so much of! the only thing of his that you have! part with that? No, I won't have it. Wait--suppose I should go and stand in front of some theatre?"
"What an idea! They are all over, all closed at this time of night."
"Never mind; in front of a restaurant, I may still get something to do."
"I don't want you to go out; it's too late."
"Well then, in the house; pardi! sugar and coal--people lend each other such things as that. Don't be impatient, mother, I will come right back."
"No, Georget, I don't want you to ask the neighbors; don't, I beg you!"
But Georget was not listening to his mother; he had already relighted his tallow-dip and hurried from the room. When he reached the landing, the young man stopped, for he was uncertain to whom he should apply for the loan which he wished to obtain; but he did not hesitate long. He ran down the stairs three or four at a time, and did not stop until he reached the ground floor and knocked at the concierge's lodge, saying to himself:
"Baudoin and his wife are not unkind; they dispute together, and fight sometimes, but they haven't bad hearts; they won't refuse me. Besides, it is only a loan, I will return it all."
But Georget forgot that he had left the concierge and his wife engaged in an occupation which was likely to plunge them into a profound slumber ere long. In fact, after sucking and lapping brandy for some time, the husband and wife had felt such an intense longing to sleep, that they had hardly strength enough to reach their bed; and as the sleep caused by intoxication is never light, Monsieur and Madame Baudoin did not hear the knocking at their door; one might have fired a cannon under their noses, and they would simply have said: "God bless you!"