n their backs amidst the black fans of their expanded
tails. On plates near by were giblets, livers, gizzards, necks, feet,
and wings; while an oval dish contained a skinned and gutted rabbit,
with its four legs wide apart, its head bleeding, and is kidneys showing
through its gashed belly. A streamlet of dark blood, after trickling
along its back to its tail, had fallen drop by drop, staining the
whiteness of the dish. Marjolin had not even taken the trouble to wipe
the block, near which the rabbit's feet were still lying. He reclined
there with his eyes half closed, encompassed by other piles of dead
poultry which crowded the shelves of the stall, poultry in paper
wrappers like bouquets, rows upon rows of protuberant breasts and bent
legs showing confusedly. And amidst all this mass of food, the young
fellow's big, fair figure, the flesh of his cheeks, hands, and powerful
neck covered with ruddy down seemed as soft as that of the magnificent
turkeys, and as plump as the breasts of the fat geese.

When he caught sight of Lisa, he at once sprang up, blushing at having
been caught sprawling in this way. He always seemed very nervous and ill
at ease in Madame Quenu's presence; and when she asked him if Monsieur
Gavard was there, he stammered out: "No, I don't think so. He was here a
little while ago, but he want away again."

Lisa looked at him, smiling; she had a great liking for him. But feeling
something warm brush against her hand, which was hanging by her side,
she raised a little shriek. Some live rabbits were thrusting their noses
out of a box under the counter of the stall, and sniffing at her skirts.

"Oh," she exclaimed with a laugh, "it's your rabbits that are tickling
me."

Then she stooped and attempted to stroke a white rabbit, which darted in
alarm into a corner of the box.

"Will Monsieur Gavard be back soon, do you think?" she asked, as she
again rose erect.

Marjolin once more replied that he did not know; then in a hesitating
way he continued: "He's very likely gone down into the cellars. He told
me, I think, that he was going there."

"Well, I think I'll wait for him, then," replied Lisa. "Could you let
him know that I am here? or I might go down to him, perhaps. Yes, that's
a good idea; I've been intending to go and have a look at the cellars
for these last five years. You'll take me down, won't you, and explain
things to me?"

Marjolin blushed crimson, and, hurrying out of the stall, walked