"And besides, he has quarrelled irrevocably with the Comte de Serizy, his patron." "The deuce he has! Listen, madame; I see you are about to--" "No, monsieur," said Oscar's mother, interrupting the old man, who, out of courtesy to the "fair lady," repressed his annoyance at being interrupted.

"Alas, you do not know the miseries of a mother who, for seven years past, has been forced to take a sum of six hundred francs a year for her son's education from the miserable eighteen hundred francs of her husband's salary.

Yes, monsieur, that is all we have had to live upon.

Therefore, what more can I do for my poor Oscar?
Monsieur Clapart so hates the child that it is impossible for me to keep him in the house.

A poor woman, alone in the world, am I not right to come and consult the only relation my Oscar has under heaven ?" "Yes, you are right," said uncle Cardot.