And so it's simple enough, we starve....

Oh! of course I'm not without relations; I have a sister who married very well.

Her husband is a clerk, Monsieur Chretiennot, perhaps you know him.

Unfortunately he's rather proud, and as I don't want any scenes between him and my sister, I no longer go to see her.

Besides, she's in despair just now, for she's expecting another baby, which is a terrible blow for a small household, when one already has two girls....