"DON'T!" She yelled it at Sigma, stepping back a little. No - no, that she could not deal with. It was easier to accept the punches, the slaps, the kicks, the belt - his knife. Any of it - all of it. None of it hurt as much as pity. For a moment, she stared hard at Sigma, breathing hard through her nose. And then she darted forward, grabbing for his hand.

"Monsieur, I am sorry. Just - just please, do not say such things. Do not be sorry for me. It is how life is - I do not say it for pity. I do not WANT your pity. I were lucky in France, I tell you. Lucky. I will not call you my Pa, Sir - but I will think of you as my nice gentleman - and you are. I do not care what you say - you have always been kind to me - even when I robbed you."

It took all of Eponine's strength and resilience to shake her head as Sigma produced the porridge.
"I'm - I'm not hungry, Sir. I have been eating Cacti sometimes. I am okay. I do not want your food - perhaps your leftovers, if you will let me?"