Ernest Pérochon

“ I happen to know when you got that watch and who gave it to you!—And you needn't play the artless either, my dear!"
Violette was taken aback; color rose to her cheeks and her thin white nostrils quivered.
"Well, and what of it?"
"You haven't got much self-respect!" said Madeleine. "That watch and those rings you're wearing—you never paid for them!"——
The girl tossed her head and her laugh came sharp as the crack of a whip.
"Indeed I did!" she said. "I paid for them!"
Madeleine gasped.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You've committed a grievous sin!—If your mother heard you!" ”

“ It's quite even all round. My grandmother used to wear one just like it, and she'd inherited it."
"You've got a quick tongue!"
"At your service."
For quite a while they looked each other straight in the eye; then Violette threw back her pretty, insolent head:
"May I ask, in turn, what you're finding about me that isn't to your taste?"
Madeleine answered:
"I was looking at your watch. I think it's pretty."
"Would you like to see it closer?"
"Thank you, no; I can see it very well; it's a new-fangled watch; it isn't an heirloom like your grandmother's skirt." ”

“ Better go and be baptised, first!"
"... and since you don't care about your mother's feelings, I'll keep my eye on you! Now, listen to me! If you start again leading him on, I'll mete you out your punishment myself!—Oh, you may laugh!" ”