he silence of the country at
night, nor the mysterious shadows, but of Paris, the crowd, the lights.
She was now on the outskirts of the city. Before leaving it (although
she had no appetite), she thought she would buy a piece of bread so
that she would have something to eat before going to sleep. She went
into a baker shop.

"I want some bread, please," she said.

"Have you any money?" demanded the woman, who did not seem to put much
confidence in Perrine's appearance.

"Yes, and I want one pound, please. Here is five francs. Will you give
me the change?"

Before cutting the bread the woman took up the five franc piece and
examined it.

"What! that!" she exclaimed, making it ring on the marble slab.

"It's a five franc piece," said Perrine.

"Who told you to try and pass that off on me?" asked the woman, angrily.

"No one, and I am asking you for a pound of bread for my supper."

"Well, then, you won't get any bread, and you'd better get out of here
as quickly as you can before I have you arrested."

"Arrested! Why?" she stammered in surprise.

"Because you're a thief!"

"Oh!..."

"You want to pass counterfeit money on me. You vagabond ... you thief!
Be off! No, wait; I'll get a policeman."

Perrine knew that she was not a thief, whether the money was real or
false, but vagabond she was. She had no home, no parents. What would she
answer the policeman? They would arrest her for being a vagabond.

She put this question to herself very quickly, but although her fear was
great, she thought of her money.

"If you don't wish to sell me the bread, at least you can give me back
my money," she said, holding out her hand.

"So that you can pass it on someone else, eh? I'll keep your money. If
you want it, go and fetch the police," cried the woman, furiously. "Be
off, you thief."

The woman's loud cries could be heard in the street, and several people
by now had gathered round the door.

"What's the matter?" someone cried.

"Why, this girl here is trying to rob my till," shouted the woman.
"There never is a cop when one wants one."

Terrified, Perrine wondered how she could get out, but they let her pass
as she made for the door, hissing her and calling her names as she ran.
She ran on and on, too afraid to turn round to see if anyone was
following her.

After a few minutes, which to her seemed hours, she found herself in the
country, and was able to stop and breathe. No one was calling after her;
n