"Hallo, there's Burle!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, it is his time," explained Phrosine. "The captain passes every
afternoon on his way from the office."
In spite of his lameness the major had risen to his feet, pushing
aside the chairs as he called out: "Burle! I say--come along and have a
glass."
The captain, quite aghast and unable to understand why Laguitte was at
the widow's, advanced mechanically. He was so perplexed that he again
hesitated at the door.
"Another glass of beer," ordered the major, and then turning to Burle,
he added, "What's the matter with you? Come in. Are you afraid of being
eaten alive?"
The captain took a seat, and an awkward pause followed. Melanie, who
brought the beer with trembling hands, dreaded some scene which might
result in the closing of her establishment. The major's gallantry made
her uneasy, and she endeavored to slip away, but he invited her to drink
with them, and before she could refuse he had ordered Phrosine to bring
a liqueur glass of anisette, doing so with as much coolness as if he had
been master of the house. Melanie was thus compelled to sit down between
the captain and Laguitte, who exclaimed aggressively: "I WILL have
ladies respected.
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