"
Christophe likewise went.
"Father Goriot, just help us to get him upstairs."
Vautrin was taken up among them, carried carefully up the narrow
staircase, and laid upon his bed.
"I can do no good here, so I shall go to see my daughter," said M.
Goriot.
"Selfish old thing!" cried Mme. Vauquer. "Yes, go; I wish you may die
like a dog."
"Just go and see if you can find some ether," said Mlle. Michonneau to
Mme. Vauquer; the former, with some help from Poiret, had unfastened
the sick man's clothes.
Mme. Vauquer went down to her room, and left Mlle. Michonneau mistress
of the situation.
"Now! just pull down his shirt and turn him over, quick! You might be
of some use in sparing my modesty," she said to Poiret, "instead of
standing there like a stock."
Vautrin was turned over; Mlle. Michonneau gave his shoulder a sharp
slap, and the two portentous letters appeared, white against the red.
"There, you have earned your three thousand francs very easily,"
exclaimed Poiret, supporting Vautrin while Mlle. Michonneau slipped on
the shirt again.--"Ouf! How heavy he is," he added, as he laid the
convict down.
"Hush! Suppose there is a strong-box here!" said the old maid briskly;
her glances seemed to pierce the walls, she scrutinized every article
of the furniture with greedy eyes.
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