Now, I'm finished." He looked at his poor stiff hands and added: "It's easy to understand, I'm no longer good for anything.

They're right; were I in their place I should do the same.

You see, the misfortune is that I'm not dead.

Yes, it's my fault.

One should lie down and croak when one's no longer able to work." "Really," said Lorilleux, who was listening, "I don't understand why the Government doesn't come to the aid of the invalids of labor.