onsieur."

"No."

"May I take the liberty of asking the reason for this refusal?"

"Pecause I do not shoose."

"With all due respect, Monsieur, I would draw your attention to the fact
that your general gave us a permit for Dieppe, and I cannot see that we
have done anything to justify your hard measures."

"I do not shoose--dat's all--you can co town."

They all bowed and withdrew.

The afternoon was miserable. They could make nothing of this caprice of
the German's, and the most far-fetched ideas tortured their minds. The
whole party remained in the kitchen engaging in endless discussions,
imagining the most improbable things. Were they to be kept as
hostages?--but if so, to what end?--or taken prisoners--or asked a large
ransom? This last suggestion threw them into a cold perspiration of
fear. The wealthiest were seized with the worst panic and saw themselves
forced, if they valued their lives, to empty bags of gold into the
rapacious hands of this soldier. They racked their brains for plausible
lies to dissemble their riches, to pass themselves off as poor--very
poor. Loiseau pulled off his watch-chain and hid it in his pocket. As
night fell their apprehensions increased. The lamp was lighted, and as
there were still two hours till supper Madame Loiseau proposed a game
of "trente et un." It would be some little distraction, at any rate. The
plan was accepted; even Cornudet, who had put out his pipe from motives
of politeness, taking a hand.

The Count shuffled the cards, dealt, Boule de Suif had "trente et un" at
the first deal; and very soon the interest in the game allayed the fears
which beset their minds. Cornudet, however, observed that the two
Loiseaus were in league to cheat.

* * * * *

Just as they were sitting down to the evening meal Monsieur appeared and
said in his husky voice: "The Prussian officer wishes to know if
Mademoiselle Elizabeth Rousset has not changed her mind yet?"

Boule de Suif remained standing and turned very pale, then suddenly her
face flamed and she fell into such a paroxysm of rage that she could not
speak. At last she burst out: "You can tell that scoundrel--that low
scum of a Prussian--that I won't--and I never will--do you hear?--never!
never! never!"

The fat innkeeper retired. They instantly surrounded Boule de Suif,
questioning, entreating her to disclose the mystery of her visit. At
first she refused, but presently, carried away by