"What can I do for you, madame?"

She could scarcely speak, but at last she managed to say:

"I have come-for this."

The manager looked at the object which she held out to him in mute
astonishment.

With trembling fingers she tried to undo the elastic, and succeeding,
after several attempts, she hastily opened the damaged remains of the
umbrella.

"It looks to me to be in a very bad state of health," he said
compassionately.

"It cost me twenty francs," she said, with some hesitation.

He seemed astonished. "Really! As much as that?"

"Yes, it was a capital article, and I wanted you to see the condition it
is in."

"Yes, yes, I see; very well. But I really do not understand what it can
have to do with me."

She began to feel uncomfortable; perhaps this company did not pay for
such small articles, and she said:

"But--it is burned."