CHAPTER V
A NEGOTIATION
Cunctando restituit rem.—Ennius.
"Answer me without lies, if you can, you damned dog, how did you get to know Madame de Rênal? When did you speak to her?"
"I have never spoken to her," answered Julien, "I have only seen that lady in church."
"You must have looked at her, you impudent rascal."
"Not once! you know, I only see God in church," answered Julien, with a little hypocritical air, well suited, so he thought, to keep off the parental claws.
"None the less there's something that does not meet the eye," answered the cunning peasant. He was then silent for a moment. "But I shall never get anything out of you, you damned hypocrite," he went on. "As a matter of fact, I am going to get rid of you, and my saw-mill will go all the better for it. You have nobbled the curate, or somebody else, who has got you a good place. Run along and pack your traps, and I will take you to M. de Rênal's, where you are going to be tutor to his children."
"What shall I get for that?"
"Board, clothing, and three hundred francs salary."
"I do not want to be a servant."
"Who's talking of being a servant, you brute, Do you think I want my son to be a servant?"
"But with whom shall I have my meals?"
This question discomforted old Sorel, who felt he might possibly commit some imprudence if he went on talking. He burst out against Julien, flung insult after insult at him,
