“Will you kindly tell me how the damage was done?”

She felt that she had won the victory, and said: 

“This is how it happened, monsieur:  In our hall there is a bronze stick and umbrella stand, and the other day, when I came in, I put my umbrella into it.  I must tell you that just above there is a shelf for the candlesticks and matches.  I put out my hand, took three or four matches, and struck one, but it missed fire, so I struck another, which ignited, but went out immediately, and a third did the same.”

The manager interrupted her to make a joke.

“I suppose they were government matches, then?”

She did not understand him, and went on: 

“Very likely.  At any rate, the fourth caught fire, and I lit my candle, and went into my room to go to bed; but in a quarter of an hour I fancied that I smelt something burning, and I have always been terribly afraid of fire.  If ever we have an accident it will not be my fault, I assure you.  I am terribly nervous since our chimney was on fire, as I told you; so I got up, and hunted about everywhere, sniffing like a dog after game, and at last I noticed that my umbrella was burning.  Most likely a match had fallen between the folds and burned it.  You can see how it has damaged it.”

The manager had taken his cue, and asked her:  “What do you estimate the damage at?”

She did not know what to say, as she was not certain what value to put on it, but at last she replied: 

“Perhaps you had better get it done yourself.  I will leave it to you.”

He, however, naturally refused.

“No, madame, I cannot do that.  Tell me the amount of your claim, that is all I want to know.”

“Well, I think that—­Look here, monsieur, I do not want to make any money out of you, so I will tell you what we will do.  I will take my umbrella to the maker, who will re-cover it in good, durable silk, and I will bring the bill to you.  Will that suit you, monsieur?”

“Perfectly, madame; we will settle it so.  Here is a note for the cashier, who will repay you whatever it costs you.”

He gave Mme. Oreille a slip of paper, who took it, got up and went out, thanking him, for she was in a hurry to escape lest he should change his mind.

She went briskly through the streets, looking out for a really good umbrella maker, and when she found a shop which appeared to be a first-class one, she went in, and said, confidently: 

“I want this umbrella re-covered in silk, good silk.  Use the very best and strongest you have; I don’t mind what it costs.”

BELHOMME’S BEAST

The coach for Havre was ready to leave Criquetot, and all the passengers were waiting for their names to be called out, in the courtyard of the Commercial Hotel kept by Monsieur Malandain, Jr.