OldRouaultonhiswaybackbeganquietlysmokingapipe，whichHomaisinhisinnermostconsciencethoughtnotquitethething。
HealsonoticedthatMonsieurBinethadnotbeenpresent，andthatTuvachehad“madeoff“aftermass，andthatTheodore，thenotary’sservantworeabluecoat，“asifonecouldnothavegotablackcoat，sincethatisthecustom，byJove!“Andtosharehisobservationswithothershewentfromgrouptogroup。TheyweredeploringEmma’sdeath，especiallyLheureux，whohadnotfailedtocometothefuneral。
“Poorlittlewoman!Whatatroubleforherhusband!“
Thedruggistcontinued，“Doyouknowthatbutformehewouldhavecommittedsomefatalattemptuponhimself？“
“Suchagoodwoman!TothinkthatIsawheronlylastSaturdayinmyshop。“