He shuddered and stammered in momentary expectation of a catastrophe which would hurl the work-shop to the heavens.
"Mere-Grand, Mere-Grand," he stammered.

"The apparatus, the tap...

it is all over, all over!" The old woman had raised her head without as yet understanding him.

"Eh, what ?" said she; "what is the matter with you ?" Then, on seeing how distorted were his features, how he recoiled as if mad with terror, she glanced at the furnace and realised the danger.

"Well, but it's simple enough," said she; "it's only necessary to turn off the tap, eh ?" Thereupon, without any semblance of haste, in the most easy and natural manner possible, she deposited her needlework on a little table, rose from her chair, and turned off the tap with a light but firm hand.
"There! it's done," said she.