- Summary
- Maupassant
- Pumpkin
The French army is defeated. Surviving soldiers pass through the city. Civilians are walking with them. When the soldiers leave the city of Rouen, its residents close their windows and doors, the streets are empty, and the noise subsides.
The next day, the Prussian army appears, causing fear among the city's residents. They try to please the victorious soldiers in everything.
After some time, the townspeople get used to the proximity of the Prussians. They interact nicely with the guests.
Gradually, Rouen comes to life. Traders are given permission to leave the city. They complete the paperwork and leave Rouen with their families. In one of the stagecoaches there were wine merchants - husband and wife Loiseau, a manufacturer and his wife, the spouses of Hubert de Breville, nuns, a democrat Cornudet and a frivolous person nicknamed "Dumpling". The woman has a charming curvy body. The carriage gets stuck in snowdrifts every now and then. Passengers often look disapprovingly towards Pyshka.
Travelers begin to experience unbearable hunger. At this moment, Pyshka takes out a basket with a lot of food. A woman eats chicken on a plate with appetite. The ladies look at her disapprovingly. The wine merchant praises Pyshka for such forethought. She treats him, Cornudet and the nuns to a piece of chicken. The meal is washed down from one glass - a glass of Pyshka.
The manufacturer's young wife faints from hunger. The nuns drink it with wine. Pumpkin shares food with pious ladies. A conversation ensues. Men talk about politics. Pyshka says that she had to leave the city because she almost strangled a Prussian soldier in her anger.
It starts to get cold, and the ladies offer Pyshka a hot water bottle. Arriving at night in the city of Thoth, passengers stay at a hotel. Her owner tells Pyshka that a Prussian officer is waiting for her in his room. Elisabeth Rousset - that's Pyshka's name - refuses to go, but the guests persuade her. A few minutes later, Elizabeth returns in an angry mood. Everyone sits down at the table. The innkeeper's wife scolds the war and believes that the kings are to blame for it.
Loiseau sees through the keyhole how Elizabeth refuses Cornudet's advances. Pyshka does not want to indulge in love in the house where the enemy lives.
In the morning, French passengers see Prussian soldiers helping local women prepare food and look after their children. The priest explains to them that these are not soldiers, but the same poor people.
The German officer does not allow the French to go further. The travelers try to get an explanation, but they fail. The officer again demands Pyshka to come to him. She refuses to go and tells everyone that the German is forcing her into love. At first everyone supports Elizabeth, but later they begin to condemn her.
Pyshka goes to church to watch the baby's christening. At this time, travelers start a conspiracy. When Elizabeth returns, her companions persuade her to sacrifice herself for the sake of many lives. The nuns say that they are going to help the wounded soldiers, and they really need their help.
Pyshka agrees. While she is spending time with the Prussian officer, the ladies and their companions joke frivolously about this. Only Cornudet accuses them of meanness.
The next day the stagecoach sets off. Passengers do not look towards Pyshka. Knowing that she forgot to take provisions, they do not offer her food. Elizabeth cries, feeling angry and self-pitying.
The novella teaches that people often do things only to benefit themselves.
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