He wanted to know exactly how long the storm was going to last; whereupon he was referred to the barometer, which seemed to have no intention of rising.
On le renvoyait alors au baromètre, qui ne se décidait pas à remonter. Passepartout secouait le baromètre, mais rien n'y faisait, ni les secousses, ni les injures dont il accablait l'irresponsable instrument.