diploma?

Or else they had been unable to agree upon wages.

"Oh! no, the mean things! A dirty dance hall . . . nothing to pinch. She does her own marketing. Oh ! la ! la ! Four children in the house! Think of it!"

The whole punctuated by furious or obscene gestures.

We all passed into the bureau by turns, sum- moned by Mme. Paulhat-Durand, whose voice grew shriller and shriller, and whose shining flesh at last became green with anger. For my part, I saw directly with whom I had to deal, and that the place did not suit me. Then, to amuse myself, instead of submitting to their stupid questions, I questioned the fine ladies themselves.

<« Madame is married? "

"Undoubtedly."

"Ah! And Madame has children? "

"Certainly."

"Dogs?"

"Yes."

" Madame makes the chambermaid sit up? "

' ' When I go out in the evening . . . evidently. ' '

" And Madame often goes out in the evening? "

Pursing up her lips, she was about to answer; but I, casting a contemptuous glance at her hat, her costume, and her entire person, said, in a curt and disdainful voice: