132 6 Les Miserables
sure?’
‘Rest easy.’
‘Because—‘ said Jondrette. And he left the phrase unfin-
ished.
Marius heard him lay something heavy on the table,
probably the chisel which he had purchased.
‘By the way,’ said Jondrette, ‘have you been eating here?’
‘Yes,’ said the mother. ‘I got three large potatoes and
some salt. I took advantage of the fire to cook them.’
‘Good,’ returned Jondrette. ‘To-morrow I will take you
out to dine with me. We will have a duck and fixings. You
shall dine like Charles the Tenth; all is going well!’
Then he added:—
‘The mouse-trap is open. The cats are there.’
He lowered his voice still further, and said:—
‘Put this in the fire.’
Marius heard a sound of charcoal being knocked with
the tongs or some iron utensil, and Jondrette continued:—
‘Have you greased the hinges of the door so that they will
not squeak?’
‘Yes,’ replied the mother.
‘What time is it?’
‘Nearly six. The half-hour struck from Saint-Medard a
while ago.’
‘The devil!’ ejaculated Jondrette; ‘the children must go
and watch. Come you, do you listen here.’
A whispering ensued.
Jondrette’s voice became audible again:—
‘Has old Bougon left?’