Page 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.’
‘Well?’
‘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.

682 Les Miserables