She would have liked to give an answer; certain sentences of her niece brought crushing refusals to her lips, but she had to remain mute and allow Therese to plead her cause without once interrupting her.
Elle aurait voulu répondre; certaines phrases de sa nièce faisaient monter à sa gorge des refus écrasants, mais elle devait rester muette, laissant Thérèse plaider sa cause, sans jamais l'interrompre.