But as she was talking of starting on some shirts, she became quite pale.

She was obliged to leave the work-shop, and cross the street doubled in two, holding on to the walls.

One of the workwomen offered to accompany her; she declined, but begged her to go instead for the midwife, close by, in the Rue de la Charbonniere.

This was only a false alarm; there was no need to make a fuss.

She would be like that no doubt all through the night.