"Ah, I was sure of it," he cried. "While you were looking at yourself in the glass a thread broke and your spool stopped. You tried to catch the time lost and that's how it happened." "I did not look in my glass," said Rosalie. "Bah! you're all the same. I know you. Now: what's the trouble?" "I don't know, but my hand is crushed," said poor Rosalie, trying to keep back her tears. "Well, and what do you want me to do?" "Father Ninepins told me to come to you," said Rosalie. "And you ... what's the matter with you?" he asked, turning to Perrine. "Nothing," she replied, disconcerted. "Well?" "Father Ninepins told her to bring me here," said Rosalie. "Well, she can take you to Dr. Ruchon and let him see it. But I'm going to look into this matter and find out if it is your fault, and if it is ... look out!" He spoke in a loud, bullying voice which could be heard throughout the offices. As the two girls were about to go M. Vulfran Paindavoine appeared, guiding himself with his hand along the wall. "What's it all about, Talouel? What's the matter here?" "Nothing much, sir," replied the foreman. "One of the girls has hurt her hand." "Where is she?" "Here I am, Monsieur Vulfran," said Rosalie, going up to him. "Why, it's Mother Françoise's granddaughter, Rosalie, isn't it?" asked the blind man. "Yes, it's me, Monsieur Vulfran," said Rosalie, beginning to cry. Harsh words had hardened her heart, but this tone of pity was too much for poor Rosalie. "What is the matter with your hand, my poor girl?" asked the blind man. "Oh, sir, I think my two fingers are broken," she said, "although I am not in much pain." "Well, why are you crying?" asked M. Vulfran, tenderly. "Because you speak so kindly to me." Talouel shrugged his shoulders. "Now go home at once," said M. Vulfran, "and I'll send the doctor to you." "Write a note to Dr. Ruchon," he said, turning to Talouel, "and tell him to call at Mother Françoise's house; say that the matter is urgent and he must go there at once." "Do you want anyone to go with you?" he asked, addressing Rosalie. "Oh, thank you, Monsieur Vulfran; I have a friend here with me," she replied. "She can go with you then, and tell your grandmother that you will be paid while you are away." It was Perrine now who felt like crying, but catching Talouel's glance, she stiffened. It was not until they had passed out of the yard that she betrayed her emotion. "Isn't Monsieur Vulfran kind?" she said. "Yes," replied Rosalie; "he would be all right if he were alone, but with Skinny he can't be; he hasn't the time and he has a lot to think about." "Well, he seemed very kind to you," said little Perrine. "Oh, yes," Rosalie said, drawing herself up; "I make him think of his son. My mother was Monsieur Edmond's foster sister." "Does he think of his son?" "He thinks of nothing else."