Caderousse paused.
‘Died of what?’ The priest repeated, anxiously.
‘To tell the truth – of starvation!’
‘Starvation!’ cried the abbé, leaping up from his stool. ‘Starvation! the lowest creature does not die of starvation! Even a dog roaming the streets may find a pitying hand to throw it a crust of bread. Yet you say this man, a christian, died of hunger in the midst of other men who also call themselves christians! Impossible! It’s impossible!’