t the four starving
passengers and faltered shyly, "Mon Dieu! If I might make so bold as to
offer the ladies and gentlemen--" She stopped short, fearing a rude
rebuff.

Loiseau, however, at once threw himself into the breach. "Parbleu! under
such circumstances we are all companions in misfortune and bound to help
each other. Come, ladies, don't stand on ceremony--take what you can get
and be thankful: who knows whether we shall be able to find so much as
a house where we can spend the night? At this rate we shall not reach
Totes till to-morrow afternoon."

They still hesitated, nobody having the courage to take upon themselves
the responsibility of the decisive "Yes." Finally the Count seized the
bull by the horns. Adopting his most grandiose air, he turned with a bow
to the embarrassed young woman and said, "We accept your offer with
thanks, madame."

The first step only was difficult. The Rubicon once crossed, they fell
to with a will. They emptied the basket, which contained, besides the
provisions already mentioned; a pate de foie gras, a lark pie, a piece
of smoked tongue, some pears, a slab of gingerbread, mixed biscuits, and
a cup of pickled onions and gherkins in vinegar--for, like all women,
Boule de Suif adored crudities.

They could not well eat the young woman's provisions and not speak to
her, so they conversed--stiffly at first, and then, seeing that she
showed no signs of presuming, with less reserve. Mesdames de Breville
and Carre-Lamadon, having a great deal of "savoir vivre," knew how to
make themselves agreeable with tact and delicacy. The Countess, in
particular, exhibited the amiable condescension of the extremely
high-born lady whom no contact can sully, and was charming. But big
Madame Loiseau, who had the soul of a gendarme, remained unmoved,
speaking little and eating much.

The conversation naturally turned upon the war. They related horrible
deeds committed by the Prussians and examples of the bravery of the
French; all these people who were flying rendering full homage to the
courage of those who remained behind. Incidents of personal experience
soon followed, and Boule de Suif told, with that warmth of coloring
which women of her type often employ in expressing their natural
feelings, how she had come to leave Rouen.

"I thought at first I should be able to hold out," she said, "for I had
plenty of provisions in my house, and would much rather feed a few
soldiers than turn out of my