just hunger, and nothing else."

Then Boule de Suif, blushing and embarrassed, stammered, looking
at the four passengers who had not yet broken their fast:--"Mon
Dieu!, if I ventured to offer these ladies and gentlemen?" She
stopped short, thinking she had hurt their feelings. Loiseau began
to speak: "Well, by Jove! in cases like this, we are all brothers
and sisters and must help each other. Come, ladies, no ceremony!
accept what is offered; what the devil! do we even know whether we
are going to find a house to shelter us during the night? At the
rate at which we are traveling, we shall not be in Totes before
to-morrow noon." They hesitated, none daring to assume the
responsibility of saying "Yes."

But the Count settled the question. He turned to the intimidated
fat girl and assuming his grand aristocratic tone, he said to
her:--"We accept gratefully, Madame."

The first step only costs. Once the Rubicon crossed, they ate
heartily. The basket was emptied. It still contained one pate de
foie gras, one pate de mauvette, a piece of smoked ham, Crassane
pears, a Pont-l'Eveque cheese, assorted petits-fours, and a cup
full of pickled gherkins and onions, Boule de Suif, like all women,
having a predilection for raw things.

One could not partake of the girl's provisions without speaking to
her. Now then, they talked, first with some restraint, then, as
she behaved very well, with more freedom. Mesdames de Breville
and Carre-Lamadon, who had great "savoir-faire," made themselves
tactfully gracious. Specially the Countess showed that amiable