[Jean Valjean had been marveling at the curious mechanized pets, wishing Cosette could be there to behold such a sight that would surely evoke joy and wonder from her, when he descries the small figure at the other end of the shop. He sees her hand reach out from her cloak like a flash of lightning. A glint of metal catching the light, and suddenly a space on the shelf is bare, and the figure is scurrying out the door.
Without alerting any of the employees who bustle about the shop, and indeed without drawing their notice at all, Jean Valjean places a sum of money on the counter and follows the small figure out. After a few paces, he draws abreast of her, while maintaining a few feet of space between them. Gently he speaks up.]
Such wondrous inventions that shop carries, would you not say?
I.
Without alerting any of the employees who bustle about the shop, and indeed without drawing their notice at all, Jean Valjean places a sum of money on the counter and follows the small figure out. After a few paces, he draws abreast of her, while maintaining a few feet of space between them. Gently he speaks up.]
Such wondrous inventions that shop carries, would you not say?