For 10 points, the suspicious peasants of Normandy drive Hauchecorne to death in what story by Guy de Maupassant?
The protagonist of this story punches a farmer of Crequetot in the stomach just before being mocked by a horse-dealer, even though he thought himself vindicated when Marius Paumelle made a discovery. The town crier interrupts lunch at Jordain's tavern to declare that Houlbreque has encountered misfortune, leading to the protagonist being accused of stealing from that man. The main character ultimately dies from his loss of reputation, even though the pocketbook in question turned up on the road. The vindictive harness-maker Malandain had accused the main character of picking up the money during the market of Goderville, but he was actually retrieving the title inconsequential object. For 10 points, the suspicious peasants of Normandy drive Hauchecorne to death in what story by Guy de Maupassant?
The protagonist of this story punches a farmer of Crequetot in the stomach just before being mocked by a horse-dealer, even though he thought himself vindicated when Marius Paumelle made a discovery.
“The {Piece of String}” [or “La {Ficelle}”]