The workman, expanding his back at the tipping-cradle, had not even lifted his eyes on Étienne, and the latter was about to pick up his little bundle, which had fallen to the earth, when a spasm of coughing announced the carman's return.
Le manoeuvre du culbuteur, gonflant le dos, n'avait pas meme levé les yeux sur Étienne, et celui-ci allait ramasser son petit paquet tombé a terre, lorsqu'un acces de toux annonça le retour du charretier.