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?‰mile, 1840-1902

"Four Short Stories By Emile Zola"

She was white with fury.
"So you've not got the money, eh? Then go back where you came from, my
little rough, and look sharp about it! There's a bloody fool for you! He
wanted to kiss me again! Mark my words--no money, no nothing!"
He explained matters; he would be sure to have the money the day after
tomorrow. But she interrupted him violently:
"And my bills! They'll sell me up while Monsieur's playing the fool.
Now then, look at yourself. D'ye think I love you for your figure? A man
with a mug like yours has to pay the women who are kind enough to put up
with him. By God, if you don't bring me that ten thousand francs tonight
you shan't even have the tip of my little finger to suck. I mean it! I
shall send you back to your wife!"
At night he brought the ten thousand francs. Nana put up her lips, and
he took a long kiss which consoled him for the whole day of anguish.
What annoyed the young woman was to have him continually tied to her
apron strings. She complained to M. Venot, begging him to take her
little rough off to the countess. Was their reconciliation good for
nothing then? She was sorry she had mixed herself up in it, since
despite everything he was always at her heels.


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