Besides, Pierre had seen enough of the state of the streets of Paris at that time to know that friends, not enemies, were required, and the man had a bad air about him.
But all these considerations did not keep Pierre from bursting out into a fit of crying when he was once more under his mother's roof; and Virginie, who was alone there (Madame Babette having gone out to make her daily purchases), might have imagined him pommeled to death by the loudness of his sobs.
"'What is the matter ?' asked she.

'Speak, my child.

What hast thou done ?' "'He has robbed me! he has robbed me!' was all Pierre could gulp out.
"'Robbed thee! and of what, my poor boy ?' said Virginie, stroking his hair gently.
"'Of my five-franc piece--of a five-franc piece,' said Pierre, correcting himself, and leaving out the word my, half fearful lest Virginie should inquire how he became possessed of such a sum, and for what services it had been given him.

But, of course, no such idea came into her head, for it would have been impertinent, and she was gentle-born.
"'Wait a moment, my lad,' and going to the one small drawer in the inner apartment, which held all her few possessions, she brought back a little ring--a ring just with one ruby in it--which she had worn in the days when she cared to wear jewels.

'Take this,' said she, 'and run with it to a jeweller's.