The women looked very grave and determined, only Mme. Mathurine was a little pale. She was the most unpopular of her number among the country people, and a good many of them, without any real suspicion of her honesty, were not sorry to inflict a touch of humiliation. Old Nannon, in her wrath, said openly that she had lined her pockets with the price of the corn, and then accused the boy of bringing short measure. Others, who had not the old woman's personal interest in the matter, would not venture so far, they shook their heads, and shrugged their shoulders. The majority inclined to the belief that the boy had been tampered with, and had sold the grain before he reached the market; but Mme. Mathurine, who was proud and self-reliant, saw only the shakes and shrugs. She was obliged to appear composed and indifferent, but in her heart a fierce indignation was burning. She had made a little mistake in not having at once called one of the other saleswomen to witness the reality of the short measure, and even to have made a mistake was very bitter to her pride. She folded her arms and looked round upon the faces about her with the air of a queen. "There is no more to be done, messieurs and mesdames," she said. "The business is concluded. Monsieur Gohon will communicate with the corporation, if he desires it." "And our Jean-Marie?" asked Nannon, pressing up and looking warlike. Madame Mathurine deigned no other answer than a withering glance. Her companions gathered round her; they made a little compact phalanx and moved towards the doors. Old Nannon followed, dragging her reluctant nephew, and pouring out a torrent of words,-- "I appeal to the commissary,--to the mayor," she cried, thrusting herself before Mme. Mathurine. M. Deshoulieres began to think the old woman's rage would lead her to a personal attack upon her enemy, and the other saleswomen thought so too, for the eldest of the group, perceiving him, came quickly up and said in a low voice,-- "Pray, monsieur, use your influence to prevent scandal." "Nannon," he said, sternly, "this must end. You have been allowed too much licence already. So much as relates to the affair here is finished; for the rest, Jean-Marie and his master must settle it between them." There was a little murmur of applause among the town-people, an honest admiration for their doctor made his opinion as decisive as the maire's. Nannon shook her head, and drew herself up with a certain pathetic dignity. "That is easy to say, monsieur," she answered, her poor old voice tremulous with indignation. "We all know the quantity was just when the corn left the farm, and if the poor boy goes back with this story, it does not require to be a witch to know that my sister will have him on her hands again."