OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

S3 MAINLY MAIGRET
Sylvie—to let herself be mixed up in that sort of thing.... Come
along."
They went downstairs together. When Moise saw Antoinette he
was startled at her changed appearance.
" Til talk to Domb and Valesco," he said hastily.
" Thanks.. . . Antoinette, go and get the butter from the cupboard."
She bestowed a smile of gratitude on Moise. " That's very
kind of you, I'm sure. ... I'm doing the right thing, don't you
agree? "
By way of answer Moise, too, smiled vaguely; then started
towards the stairs.
" Why not come and study by the fire? " she called after him.
Apparently he didn't hear.
The life of the house resumed its usual course. The onions began
to sizzle on the range, while Madame Baron fell to chopping up
the meat for the stew. Suddenly, without looking up from her work,
she said to her daughter:
" You know what your dad's like; it wouldn't do for him to
know. You'd better look through the paper before he reads it and,
if there's anything, tear the page off."
Antoinette, too, made no reply.
" Now go and do out Monsieur Domb's room. Don't forget it's
the day to change the sheets."
At half-past eleven Baron appeared. He had been on duty all
night and had the rest of the day off. After hanging his coat on a peg
in the hall he entered the kitchen, sniffed the air, and asked:
" Grub ready? "
" In a few minutes."
His wife placed his slippers in front of the wicker armchair,
and Baron proceeded to take off his boots, socks, and collar.
" Terrible cold it can be round about Luxembourg. This morning
just after sunrise we saw a boar floundering about in the snow."
" Is there much snow there? "
" Nearly four foot deep in places."
She was taking care to keep her back towards him, but a moment
came when he had a glimpse of her face.
" What's wrong with you? "
" Wrong with me? "
" Your eyes are all red."
" Oh, that's the onions." She pointed to the onion skins on the
table.