I thought that you would be in about this time.' He grinned as he spoke, and it was with difficulty I suppressed my wrath.
'Mademoiselle de Cocheforet told you,' I said, affecting indifference, 'where I was ?' 'Ay, Mademoiselle--or Madame,' he replied, grinning afresh.
So she had told him; where she had left me, and how she had tricked me! She had, made me the village laughing-stock! My rage flashed out afresh at the thought, and, at the sight of his mocking face, I raised my fist.
But he read the threat in my eyes, and was up in a moment, snarling, with his hand on his knife.
'Not again, Monsieur!' he cried, in his vile patois.

'My head is sore still raise your hand and I will rip you up as I would a pig!' 'Sit down, fool,' I said.

'I am not going to harm you.

Where is your wife ?' 'About her business.' 'Which should be getting my supper,' I retorted.
He rose sullenly, and, fetching a platter, poured the mess of broth and vegetables into it.

Then he went to a cupboard and brought out a loaf of black bread and a measure of wine, and set them also on the table.
'You see it,' he said laconically.
'And a poor welcome!' I replied.
He flamed into sudden passion at that.