682 Les Miserables
She had completely forgotten the bread. She had recourse
to the expedient of children who live in a constant state of
fear. She lied.
‘Madame, the baker’s shop was shut.’
‘You should have knocked.’
‘I did knock, Madame.’
‘Wel l? ’
‘He did not open the door.’
‘I’ll find out to-morrow whether that is true,’ said the
Thenardier; ‘and if you are telling me a lie, I’ll lead you a
pretty dance. In the meantime, give me back my fifteen-sou
piece.’
Cosette plunged her hand into the pocket of her apron,
and turned green. The fifteen-sou piece was not there.
‘Ah, come now,’ said Madame Thenardier, ‘did you hear
me?’
Cosette turned her pocket inside out; there was nothing
in it. What could have become of that money? The unhappy
little creature could not find a word to say. She was petri-
fied.
‘Have you lost that fifteen-sou piece?’ screamed the Th-
enardier, hoarsely, ‘or do you want to rob me of it?’
At the same time, she stretched out her arm towards the
cat-o’-nine-tails which hung on a nail in the chimney-cor-
ner.
This formidable gesture restored to Cosette sufficient
strength to shriek:—
‘Mercy, Madame, Madame! I will not do so any more!’
The Thenardier took down the whip.