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diff --git a/27690-h/27690-h.htm b/27690-h/27690-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff30200 --- /dev/null +++ b/27690-h/27690-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10960 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Nobody's Girl, by Hector Malot. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +p.cap { + text-indent: 0em; + padding-top: 1em; +} + +p.cap:first-letter { + float: left; + margin: .1px 2px 0px 0; + padding: 0; + line-height: .8em; + font-size: 280%; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.rule { + width: 100%; + height: 5px; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + color: black; + clear: both; +} + +hr.fine { + width: 24%; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + color: black; + clear: both; +} + +.sans { + font-family: "arial", "lucida console", sans-serif; + font-size: 150%; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; +} + +.sanscent { + font-family: "arial", "lucida console", sans-serif; + font-size: 150%; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; + text-align: center; +} + +h6 { + font-family: "arial", "lucida console", sans-serif; + font-size: 80%; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; +} + + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.td1 { + vertical-align: top; + text-align: right; + padding-right: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; +} + +.td2 { + vertical-align: top; + text-align: left; + padding-left: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 0em; + text-indent: -1em; + font-variant: small-caps; +} + +.td3 { + vertical-align: bottom; + text-align: right; + padding-left: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; +} + +.pagenum {/* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /*visibility: hidden;*/ + position: absolute; + left: 95%; + font-size: 15px; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + font-style: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em; + text-align: right; + color: #999999; + background-color: #ffffff; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-right: 0em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + + +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nobody's Girl, by Hector Malot + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Nobody's Girl + (En Famille) + +Author: Hector Malot + +Illustrator: Thelma Gooch + +Translator: Florence Crewe-Jones + +Release Date: January 3, 2009 [EBook #27690] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOBODY'S GIRL *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jen Haines and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="599" +alt="Bookcover" title="Bookcover" /> +</div> + +<p><br /><br /><br /> +<a name="FRONTIS" id="FRONTIS"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/illus01.jpg" width="400" height="607" +alt=""WHY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL," SAID PERRINE, SOFTLY. (See page 86)" +title=""WHY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL," SAID PERRINE, SOFTLY. (See page 86)" /> +<span class="caption">"WHY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL," +SAID PERRINE, SOFTLY. + (See page<a href="#Page_86"> 86</a>)</span> +</div> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/frontpage.jpg" width="500" height="750" +alt="FrontPage" title="FrontPage" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h5><i>Copyright, 1922, by</i></h5> +<h4>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</h4> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<h5>Printed in United States of America</h5> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><br /></p> +<h1>CONTENTS</h1> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/image1.jpg" width="150" height="14" +alt="line" title="line" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" summary="Table of Contents with Hyperlinks to Chapters"> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><a href="#INTRODUCTION"><b>INTRODUCTION</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td1">CHAPTER</td><td colspan="2" class="td3">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>I</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Perrine and Palikare</td> + <td class="td3">1</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>II</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Grain-of-Salt is Kind</td> + <td class="td3">20</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>III</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">"Poor Little Girl"</td> + <td class="td3">41</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>IV</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">A Hard Road to Travel</td> + <td class="td3">47</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>V</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Storms and Fears</td> + <td class="td3">59</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>VI</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">The Rescue</td> + <td class="td3">72</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>VII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Maraucourt at Last</td><td class="td3">77</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>VIII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Grandfather Vulfran</td> + <td class="td3">86</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>IX</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">One Sleepless Night</td> + <td class="td3">95</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>X</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">The Hut on the Island</td> + <td class="td3">110</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>XI</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Work in the Factory</td> + <td class="td3">115</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>XII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">New Shoes</td> + <td class="td3">130</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>XIII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Strange Housekeeping</td> + <td class="td3">136</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>XIV</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">A Banquet in the Hut</td> + <td class="td3">149</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>XV</b></a></td + ><td class="td2">Aurelie's Chance</td> + <td class="td3">157</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>XVI</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Grandfather's Interpreter</td> + <td class="td3">166</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>XVII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Hard Questions</td> + <td class="td3">175</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>XVIII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Secretary to M. Vulfran</td> + <td class="td3">184</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>XIX</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Suspicion and Confidence</td> + <td class="td3">194</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>XX</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">The Schemers</td> + <td class="td3">206</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>XXI</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Letters from Dacca</td> + <td class="td3">217</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>XXII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">A Cable to Dacca</td> + <td class="td3">227</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>XXIII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Grandfather's Companion</td> + <td class="td3">238</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>XXIV</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Getting an Education</td> + <td class="td3">248</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>XXV</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Meddling Relatives</td> + <td class="td3">260</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>XXVI</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">Painful Arguments</td> + <td class="td3">269</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>XXVII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">The Blind Man's Grief</td> + <td class="td3">277</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>XXVIII</b></a></td> + <td class="td2">An Unrespected Funeral</td> + <td class="td3">285</td></tr> + <tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>XXIX</b></a></td> +<td class="td2">The Angel of Reform</td> +<td class="td3">292</td></tr> +<tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>XXX</b></a></td> +<td class="td2">Grandfather Finds Perrine</td> +<td class="td3">302</td></tr> +<tr><td class="td1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><b>XXXI</b></a></td> +<td class="td2">The Grateful People</td> +<td class="td3">307</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/image1.jpg" width="150" height="14" alt="line" title="line" /> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" summary="List of Illustrations with hyperlinks to pages"> +<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">"Why, It's Beautiful," Said Perrine, Softly.(<i>See Page 86</i>)</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#FRONTIS"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">Something Warm Passing Over Her Face Made Her Open Her Eyes</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#Page_72pic">72</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">"What's The Matter Now?" He Cried, Angrily</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#Page_124pic">124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">She Had Some Time Ago Decided On The Shape</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#Page_139pic">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">She Tried To Do As She Was Told, + But Her Emotion Increased As She Read</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#Page_218pic">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="td2">He Told Her That She Was Like A Little Daughter To Him</td> + <td class="td3"><a href="#Page_270pic">270</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/image1.jpg" width="150" height="14" alt="line" title="line" /> +</div> +<p><span class="smcap">"Nobody's Girl,"</span> +published in France under the title "En Famille", +follows "Nobody's Boy" as a companion juvenile story, and takes place +with it as one of the supreme juvenile stories of the world. Like +"Nobody's Boy" it was also crowned by the Academy, and that literary +judgment has also been verified by the test of time.</p> + +<p>"Nobody's Girl" is not a human document, such as is "Nobody's Boy", +because it has more story plot, and the adventure is in a more +restricted field, but it discloses no less the nobility of a +right-minded child, and how loyalty wins the way to noble deeds and +life. This is another beautiful literary creation of Hector Malot +which every one can recommend as an ennobling book, of interest not +only to childhood, page by page to the thrilling conclusion, but to +every person who loves romance and character.</p> + +<p>Only details, irrelevant for readers in America, have been eliminated. +Little Perrine's loyal ideals, with their inspiring sentiments, are +preserved by her through the most discouraging conditions, and are +described with the simplicity for which Hector Malot is famous. The +building up of a little girl's life is made a fine example for every +child. Every reader of this story leaves it inspired for the better +way.</p> + + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Publishers.</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>NOBODY'S GIRL</h1> + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h4>PERRINE AND PALIKARE</h4> + +<p class="cap">IT WAS Saturday afternoon about 3 o'clock. There was the usual scene; +outside the Gates of Bercy there was a crowd of people, and on the +quays, four rows deep, carts and wagons were massed together. Coal +carts, carts heaped with hay and straw, all were waiting in the clear, +warm June sunshine for the examination from the custom official. All +had been hurrying to reach Paris before Sunday.</p> + +<p>Amongst the wagons, but at some little distance from the Gates, stood +an odd looking cart, a sort of caravan. Over a light frame work which +was erected on four wheels was stretched a heavy canvas; this was +fastened to the light roof which covered the wagon. Once upon a time +the canvas might have been blue, but it was so faded, so dirty and +worn, that one could only guess what its original color had been. +Neither was it possible to make out the inscriptions which were +painted on the four sides. Most of the words were effaced. On one side +there was a Greek word, the next side<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> bore part of a German word, on +the third side were the letters F I A, which was evidently Italian, +and on the last a newly painted French word stood out boldly. This was +<i>PHOTOGRAPHIE</i>, and was evidently the translation of all the others, +indicating the different countries through which the miserable wagon +had come before it had entered France and finally arrived at the Gates +of Paris.</p> + +<p>Was it possible that the donkey that was harnessed to it had brought +the cart all this distance? At first glance it seemed impossible, but +although the animal was tired out, one could see upon a closer view +that it was very robust and much bigger than the donkeys that one sees +in Europe. Its coat was a beautiful dark grey, the beauty of which +could be seen despite the dust which covered it. Its slender legs were +marked with jet black lines, and worn out though the poor beast was, +it still held its head high. The harness, worthy of the caravan, was +fastened together with various colored strings, short pieces, long +pieces, just what was at hand at the moment; the strings had been +carefully hidden under the flowers and branches which had been +gathered along the roads and used to protect the animal from the sun +and the flies.</p> + +<p>Close by, seated on the edge of the curb, watching the donkey, was a +little girl of about thirteen years of age. Her type was very unusual, +but it was quite apparent that there was a mixture of race. The pale +blond of her hair contrasted strangely with the deep, rich coloring of +her cheeks, and the sweet<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> expression of her face was accentuated by +the dark, serious eyes. Her mouth also was very serious. Her figure, +slim and full of grace, was garbed in an old, faded check dress, but +the shabby old frock could not take away the child's distinguished +air.</p> + +<p>As the donkey had stopped just behind a large cart of straw, it would +not have required much watching, but every now and again he pulled out +the straw, in a cautious manner, like a very intelligent animal that +knows quite well that it is doing wrong.</p> + +<p>"Palikare! stop that!" said the girl for the third time.</p> + +<p>The donkey again dropped his head in a guilty fashion, but as soon as +he had eaten his wisps of straw he began to blink his eyes and agitate +his ears, then again discreetly, but eagerly, tugged at what was ahead +of him; this in a manner that testified to the poor beast's hunger.</p> + +<p>While the little girl was scolding him, a voice from within the +caravan called out:</p> + +<p>"Perrine!"</p> + +<p>Jumping to her feet, the child lifted up the canvas and passed inside, +where a pale, thin woman was lying on a mattress.</p> + +<p>"Do you need me, mama?"</p> + +<p>"What is Palikare doing, dear?" asked the woman.</p> + +<p>"He is eating the straw off the cart that's ahead of us."</p> + +<p>"You must stop him."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's so hungry."</p> + +<p>"Hunger is not an excuse for taking what does not belong to us. What +will you say to the driver of that cart if he's angry?"</p> + +<p>"I'll go and see that Palikare doesn't do it again," said the little +girl.</p> + +<p>"Shall we soon be in Paris?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are waiting for the customs."</p> + +<p>"Have we much longer to wait?"</p> + +<p>"No, but are you in more pain, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, darling; it's because I'm closed in here," replied the +woman, gasping. Then she smiled wanly, hoping to reassure her +daughter.</p> + +<p>The woman was in a pitiable plight. All her strength had gone and she +could scarcely breathe. Although she was only about twenty-nine years +of age, her life was ebbing away. There still remained traces of +remarkable beauty: Her head and hair were lovely, and her eyes were +soft and dark like her daughter's.</p> + +<p>"Shall I give you something?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"There are some shops near by. I can buy a lemon. I'll come back at +once."</p> + +<p>"No, keep the money. We have so little. Go back to Palikare and stop +him from eating the straw."</p> + +<p>"That's not easy," answered the little girl.</p> + +<p>She went back to the donkey and pushed him on his haunches until he +was out of reach of the straw in front of him.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first the donkey was obstinate and tried to push forward again, but +she spoke to him gently and stroked him, and kissed him on his nose; +then he dropped his long ears with evident satisfaction and stood +quite still.</p> + +<p>There was no occasion to worry about him now, so she amused herself +with watching what was going on around her.</p> + +<p>A little boy about her own age, dressed up like a clown, and who +evidently belonged to the circus caravans standing in the rear, had +been strolling round her for ten long minutes, without being able to +attract her attention. At last he decided to speak to her.</p> + +<p>"That's a fine donkey," he remarked.</p> + +<p>She did not reply.</p> + +<p>"It don't belong to this country. If it does, I'm astonished."</p> + +<p>She was looking at him, and thinking that after all he looked rather +like a nice boy, she thought she would reply.</p> + +<p>"He comes from Greece," she said.</p> + +<p>"Greece!" he echoed.</p> + +<p>"That's why he's called Palikare."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that's why."</p> + +<p>But in spite of his broad grin he was not at all sure why a donkey +that came from Greece should be called Palikare.</p> + +<p>"Is it far ... Greece?"</p> + +<p>"Very far."</p> + +<p>"Farther than ... China?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, but it's a long way off."</p> + +<p>"Then yer come from Greece, then?"</p> + +<p>"No, farther than that."</p> + +<p>"From China?"</p> + +<p>"No, but Palikare's the only one that comes from Greece."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to the Fair?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Where yer goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Into Paris."</p> + +<p>"I know that, but where yer goin' to put up that there cart?"</p> + +<p>"We've been told that there are some free places round the +fortifications."</p> + +<p>The little clown slapped his thighs with his two hands.</p> + +<p>"The fortifications: <i>Oh la la!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Isn't there any place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, then?"</p> + +<p>"It ain't the place for you ... round the fortifications! Have yer got +any men with yer? Big strong men who are not afraid of a stab from a +dagger. One who can give a jab as well as take one."</p> + +<p>"There is only my mother and me, and mother is ill."</p> + +<p>"Do you think much of that donkey?" he asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"I should say so!"</p> + +<p>"Well, the first thing he'll be stolen. He'll be<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> gone tomorrow. Then +the rest'll come after, and it's Fatty as tells yer so."</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"Should say so! You've never been to Paris before?"</p> + +<p>"No, never."</p> + +<p>"That's easy to see. Some fools told you where to put your cart up, +but you can't put it there. Why don't you go to Grain-of-Salt?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know Grain-of-Salt."</p> + +<p>"Why, he owns the Guillot Fields. You needn't be afraid of him, and +he'd shoot anybody who tried to get in his place."</p> + +<p>"Will it cost much to go there?"</p> + +<p>"It costs a lot in winter, when everybody comes to Paris, but at this +time I'm sure he won't make you pay more than forty sous a week. And +your donkey can find its food in the field. Does he like thistles?"</p> + +<p>"I should say he does like them!"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, this is just the place for him, and Grain-of-Salt isn't a +bad chap," said the little clown with a satisfied air.</p> + +<p>"Is that his name ... Grain-of-Salt?"</p> + +<p>"They call him that 'cause he's always thirsty. He's only got one +arm."</p> + +<p>"Is his place far from here?"</p> + +<p>"No, at Charonne; but I bet yer don't even know where Charonne is?"</p> + +<p>"I've never been to Paris before."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, then, it's over there." He waved his arms vaguely in a +northerly direction.</p> + +<p>"Once you have passed through the Gates, you turn straight to the +right," he explained, "and you follow the road all along the +fortifications for half an hour, then go down a wide avenue, then turn +to your left, and then ask where the Guillot Field is. Everybody knows +it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I'll go and tell mama. If you'll stand beside Palikare for +a minute, I'll go and tell her at once."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'll mind him for yer. I'll ask him to teach me Greek."</p> + +<p>"And please don't let him eat that straw."</p> + +<p>Perrine went inside the caravan and told her mother what the little +clown had said.</p> + +<p>"If that is so," said the sick woman, "we must not hesitate; we must +go to Charonne. But can you find the way?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's easy enough. Oh, mother," she added, as she was going out, +"there are such a lot of wagons outside; they have printed on them +'Maraucourt Factories,' and beneath that the name, 'Vulfran +Paindavoine.' There are all kinds of barrels and things in the carts. +Such a number!"</p> + +<p>"There is nothing remarkable in that, my child," said the woman.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it's strange to see so many wagons with the same name on +them," replied the girl as she left the caravan.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>Perrine found the donkey with his nose buried in the straw, which he +was eating calmly.</p> + +<p>"Why, you're letting him eat it!" she cried to the boy.</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" he retorted.</p> + +<p>"And if the man is angry?"</p> + +<p>"He'd better not be with me," said the small boy, putting himself in a +position to fight and throwing his head back.</p> + +<p>But his prowess was not to be brought into action, for at this moment +the custom officer began to search the cart of straw, and then gave +permission for it to pass on through the Gates of Paris.</p> + +<p>"Now it's your turn," said the boy, "and I'll have to leave you. +Goodbye, Mademoiselle. If you ever want news of me ask for Double Fat. +Everybody knows me."</p> + +<p>The employés who guard the entrances of Paris are accustomed to +strange sights, yet the man who went into Perrine's caravan looked +surprised when he found a young woman lying on a mattress, and even +more surprised when his hasty glance revealed to him the extreme +poverty of her surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Have you anything to declare?" he asked, continuing his +investigations.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"No wine, no provisions?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>This was only too true; apart from the mattress, the two cane chairs, +a little table, a tiny stove, a camera and a few photographic +supplies, there was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a> +</span> nothing in this wagon; no trunks, no baskets, no +clothes....</p> + +<p>"All right; you can pass," said the man.</p> + +<p>Once through the Gates, Perrine, holding Palikare by the bridle, +followed the stretch of grass along the embankment. In the brown, +dirty grass she saw rough looking men lying on their backs or on their +stomachs. She saw now the class of people who frequent this spot. From +the very air of these men, with their bestial, criminal faces, she +understood why it would be unsafe for them to be there at night. She +could well believe that their knives would be in ready use.</p> + +<p>Looking towards the city, she saw nothing but dirty streets and filthy +houses. So this was Paris, the beautiful Paris of which her father had +so often spoken. With one word she made her donkey go faster, then +turning to the left she inquired for the Guillot Field.</p> + +<p>If everyone knew where it was situated, no two were of the same +opinion as to which road she should take to get there, and several +times, in trying to follow the various directions which were given to +her, she lost her way.</p> + +<p>At last she found the place for which she was looking. This must be +it! Inside the field there was an old omnibus without wheels, and a +railway car, also without wheels, was on the ground. In addition, she +saw a dozen little round pups rolling about. Yes, this was the place!</p> + +<p>Leaving Palikare in the street, she went into the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> field. The pups at +once scrambled at her feet, barked, and snapped at her shoes.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" called a voice.</p> + +<p>She looked around and saw a long, low building, which might have been +a house, but which might serve for anything else. The walls were made +of bits of stone, wood and plaster. Even tin boxes were used in its +construction. The roof was made of tarred canvas and cardboard, and +most of the window panes were of paper, although in one or two +instances there was some glass. The man who designed it was another +Robinson Crusoe, and his workman a man Friday.</p> + +<p>A one-armed man with a shaggy beard was sorting out rags and throwing +them into the baskets around him.</p> + +<p>"Don't step on my dogs," he cried; "come nearer."</p> + +<p>She did as she was told.</p> + +<p>"Are you the owner of the Guillot Field?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"That's me!" replied the man.</p> + +<p>In a few words she told him what she wanted. So as not to waste his +time while listening, he poured some red wine out of a bottle that +stood on the ground and drank it down at a gulp.</p> + +<p>"It can be arranged if you pay in advance," he said, sizing her up.</p> + +<p>"How much?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Forty sous a week for the wagon and twenty for the donkey," he +replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's a lot of money," she said, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"That's my price."</p> + +<p>"Your summer price?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my summer price."</p> + +<p>"Can my donkey eat the thistles?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the grass also if his teeth are strong enough."</p> + +<p>"We can't pay for the whole week because we are only going to stay one +day. We are going through Paris on our way to Amiens, and we want to +rest."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's all right; six sous a day for the cart and three for the +donkey."</p> + +<p>One by one she pulled out nine sous from the pocket in her skirt.</p> + +<p>"That's for the first day," she said, handing them to the man.</p> + +<p>"You can tell your people they can all come in," he said, "How many +are there? If it's a whole company it's two sous extra for each +person."</p> + +<p>"I have only my mother."</p> + +<p>"All right; but why didn't your mother come and settle this?"</p> + +<p>"She is in the wagon, ill."</p> + +<p>"Ill! Well, this isn't a hospital."</p> + +<p>Perrine was afraid that he would not let her sick mother come in.</p> + +<p>"I mean she's a little bit tired. We've come a long way."</p> + +<p>"I never ask people where they come from," replied the man gruffly. He +pointed to a corner of the field, and added: "You can put your wagon +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +over there and tie up the donkey. And if it squashes one of my pups +you'll pay me five francs, one hundred sous ... understand?"</p> + +<p>As she was going he called out:</p> + +<p>"Will you take a glass of wine?"</p> + +<p>"No, thanks," she replied; "I never take wine."</p> + +<p>"Good," he said; "I'll drink it for you."</p> + +<p>He drained another glass, then returned to his collection of rags.</p> + +<p>As soon as she had installed Palikare in the place that the man had +pointed out to her, which was accomplished not without some jolts, +despite the care which she took, Perrine climbed up into the wagon.</p> + +<p>"We've arrived at last, poor mama," she said, bending over the woman.</p> + +<p>"No more shaking, no more rolling about," said the woman weakly.</p> + +<p>"There, there; I'll make you some dinner," said Perrine cheerfully. +"What would you like?"</p> + +<p>"First, dear, unharness Palikare; he is very tired also; and give him +something to eat and drink."</p> + +<p>Perrine did as her mother told her, then returned to the wagon and +took out the small stove, some pieces of coal and an old saucepan and +some sticks. Outside, she went down on her knees and made a fire; at +last, after blowing with all her might, she had the satisfaction of +seeing that it had taken.</p> + +<p>"You'd like some rice, wouldn't you?" she asked, leaning over her +mother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am not hungry."</p> + +<p>"Is there anything else you would fancy? I'll go and fetch anything +you want. What would you like, mama, dearie?"</p> + +<p>"I think I prefer rice," said her mother.</p> + +<p>Little Perrine threw a handful of rice into the saucepan that she had +put on the fire and waited for the water to boil; then she stirred the +rice with two white sticks that she had stripped of their bark. She +only left her cooking once, to run over to Palikare to say a few +loving words to him. The donkey was eating the thistles with a +satisfaction, the intensity of which was shown by the way his long +ears stood up.</p> + +<p>When the rice was cooked to perfection, Perrine filled a bowl and +placed it at her mother's bedside, also two glasses, two plates and +two forks. Sitting down on the floor, with her legs tucked under her +and her skirts spread out, she said, like a little girl who is playing +with her doll: "Now we'll have a little din-din, mammy, dear, and I'll +wait on you."</p> + +<p>In spite of her gay tone, there was an anxious look in the child's +eyes as she looked at her mother lying on the mattress, covered with +an old shawl that had once been beautiful and costly, but was now only +a faded rag.</p> + +<p>The sick woman tried to swallow a mouthful of rice, then she looked at +her daughter with a wan smile.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't go down very well," she murmured.</p> + +<p>"You must force yourself," said Perrine; "the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> second will go down +better, and the third better still."</p> + +<p>"I cannot; no, I cannot, dear!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, mama!"</p> + +<p>The mother sank back on her mattress, gasping. But weak though she +was, she thought of her little girl and smiled.</p> + +<p>"The rice is delicious, dear," she said; "you eat it. As you do the +work you must feed well. You must be very strong to be able to nurse +me, so eat, darling, eat."</p> + +<p>Keeping back her tears, Perrine made an effort to eat her dinner. Her +mother continued to talk to her. Little by little she stopped crying +and all the rice disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you try to eat, mother?" she asked. "I forced myself."</p> + +<p>"But I'm ill, dear."</p> + +<p>"I think I ought to go and fetch a doctor. We are in Paris now and +there are good doctors here."</p> + +<p>"Good doctors will not put themselves out unless they are paid."</p> + +<p>"We'll pay."</p> + +<p>"With what, my child?"</p> + +<p>"With our money. You have seven francs in your pocket and a florin +which we could change here. I've got 17 sous. Feel in your pocket."</p> + +<p>The black dress, as worn as Perrine's skirt but not so dusty, for it +had been brushed, was lying on the bed, and served for a cover. They +found the seven francs and an Austrian coin.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How much does that make in all?" asked Perrine; "I don't understand +French money."</p> + +<p>"I know very little more than you," replied her mother.</p> + +<p>Counting the florin at two francs, they found they had nine francs and +eighty-five centimes.</p> + +<p>"You see we have more than what is needed for a doctor," insisted +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"He won't cure me with words; we shall have to buy medicine."</p> + +<p>"I have an idea. You can imagine that all the time I was walking +beside Palikare I did not waste my time just talking to him, although +he likes that. I was also thinking of both of us, but mostly of you, +mama, because you are sick. And I was thinking of our arrival at +Maraucourt. Everybody has laughed at our wagon as we came along, and I +am afraid if we go to Maraucourt with it we shall not get much of a +welcome. If our relations are very proud, they'll be humiliated.</p> + +<p>"So I thought," she added, wisely, "that as we don't need the wagon +any more, we could sell it. Now that you are ill, no one will let me +take their pictures, and even if they would we have not the money to +buy the things for developing that we need. We must sell it."</p> + +<p>"And how much can we get for it?"</p> + +<p>"We can get something; then there is the camera and the mattress."</p> + +<p>"Everything," said the sick woman.</p> + +<p>"But you don't mind, do you, mother, dear?..."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We have lived in this wagon for more than a year," said her mother; +"your father died here, and although it's a poor thing, it makes me +sad to part with it.... It is all that remains of him ... there is not +one of these old things here that does not remind us of him...."</p> + +<p>She stopped, gasping; the tears were rolling down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, forgive me, mother, for speaking about it," cried Perrine.</p> + +<p>"My darling, you are right. You are only a child, but you have thought +of the things that I should have. I shall not be better tomorrow nor +the next day, and we must sell these things, and we must decide to +sell...."</p> + +<p>The mother hesitated. There was a painful silence.</p> + +<p>"Palikare," said Perrine at last.</p> + +<p>"You have thought that also?" asked the mother.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Perrine, "and I have been so unhappy about it, and +sometimes I did not dare look at him for fear he would guess that we +were going to part with him instead of taking him to Maraucourt with +us. He would have been so happy there after such a long journey."</p> + +<p>"If we were only sure of a welcome, but they may turn us away. If they +do, all we can do then is to lie down by the roadside and die, but no +matter what it costs, we must get to Maraucourt, and we must present +ourselves as well as we can so that they will not shut their doors +upon us...."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Would that be possible, mama?... The memory of papa ... he was so +good. Could they be angry with him now he is dead?"</p> + +<p>"I am speaking as your father would have spoken, dear ... so we will +sell Palikare. With the money that we get for him we will have a +doctor, so that I can get stronger; then, when I am well enough, we +will buy a nice dress for you and one for me, and then we'll start. We +will take the train as far as we can and walk the rest of the way."</p> + +<p>"That boy who spoke to me at the Gates told me that Palikare was a +fine donkey, and he knows, for he is in a circus. It was because he +thought Palikare was so beautiful that he spoke to me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know how much an Eastern donkey would bring in Paris, but +we'll see as soon as we can," said the sick woman.</p> + +<p>Leaving her mother to rest, Perrine got together their soiled clothing +and decided to do some washing. Adding her own waist to a bundle +consisting of three handkerchiefs, two pairs of stockings and two +combinations, she put them all into a basin, and with her washboard +and a piece of soap she went outside. She had ready some boiling water +which she had put on the fire after cooking the rice; this she poured +over the things. Kneeling on the grass, she soaped and rubbed until +all were clean; then she rinsed them and hung them on a line to dry.</p> + +<p>While she worked, Palikare, who was tied up at a short distance from +her, had glanced her way several times. When he saw that she had +finished her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a> +</span> task he stretched his neck towards her and sent forth +five or six brays ... an imperative call.</p> + +<p>"Did you think I had forgotten you?" she called out. She went to him, +changed his place, gave him some water to drink from her saucepan, +which she had carefully rinsed, for if he was satisfied with all the +food that they gave him, he was very particular about what he drank. +He would only drink pure water from a clean vessel, or red wine ... +this he liked better than anything.</p> + +<p>She stroked him and talked to him lovingly, like a kind nurse would to +a little child, and the donkey, who had thrown himself down on the +grass the moment he was free, placed his head against her shoulder. He +loved his young mistress, and every now and again he looked up at her +and shook his long ears in sign of utter content.</p> + +<p>All was quiet in the field and the streets close by were now deserted. +From the distance came the dim roar of the great city, deep, powerful, +mysterious; the breath and life of Paris, active and incessant, seemed +like the roar of a mighty ocean going on and on, in spite of the night +that falls.</p> + +<p>Then, in the softness of the coming night, little Perrine seemed to +feel more impressed with the talk that she had had with her mother, +and leaning her head against her donkey's, she let the tears, which +she had kept back so long, flow silently, and Palikare, in mute +sympathy, bent his head and licked her hands.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h4>GRAIN-OF-SALT IS KIND</h4> + +<p class="cap">MANY times that night Perrine, lying beside her mother, had jumped up +and run to the well for water so as to have it fresh. In spite of her +desire to fetch the doctor as early as possible the next morning, she +had to wait until Grain-of-Salt had risen, for she did not know what +doctor to call in. She asked him.</p> + +<p>Certainly he knew of a good doctor! and a famous one, too! who made +his rounds in a carriage, not on foot, like doctors of no account. Dr. +Cendrier, rue Rublet, near the Church; he was the man! To find the +street she had only to follow the railway tracks as far as the +station.</p> + +<p>When he spoke of such a great doctor who made his rounds in a +carriage, Perrine was afraid that she would not have enough money to +pay him, and timidly she questioned Grain-of-Salt, not daring to ask +outright what she wanted to know. Finally he understood.</p> + +<p>"What you'd have to pay?" he asked. "It's a lot, but it won't be more +than forty sous, and so as to make sure, you'll have to pay him in +advance."</p> + +<p>Following the directions that Grain-of-Salt gave her, she easily found +the house, but the doctor had<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +not yet risen, so she had to wait. She +sat down on a bench in the street, outside a stable door, behind which +a coachman was harnessing a horse to a carriage. She thought if she +waited there she would be sure to catch the doctor as he left the +house, and if she gave him her forty sous he would consent to come. +She was quite sure that he would not if she had simply asked him to +visit a patient who was staying in the Guillot Field.</p> + +<p>She waited a long time; her suspense increased at the thought that her +mother would be wondering what kept her away so long.</p> + +<p>At last an old-fashioned carriage and a clumsy horse came out of the +stables and stood before the doctor's house. Almost immediately the +doctor appeared, big, fat, with a grey beard.</p> + +<p>Before he could step into his carriage Perrine was beside him. She put +her question tremblingly.</p> + +<p>"The Guillot Field?" he said. "Has there been a fight?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; it's my mother who is ill."</p> + +<p>"Who is your mother?"</p> + +<p>"We are photographers."</p> + +<p>He put his foot on the step. She offered him her forty sous quickly.</p> + +<p>"We can pay you," she hastened to say.</p> + +<p>"Then it's sixty sous," said he.</p> + +<p>She added twenty sous more. He took the money and slipped it into his +waistcoat pocket.</p> + +<p>"I'll be with your mother in about fifteen minutes," he said. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<p>She ran all the way back, happy, to take the good news.</p> + +<p>"He'll cure you, mama; he's a real, real doctor!" she said, +breathlessly.</p> + +<p>She quickly busied herself with her mother, washing her hands and face +and arranging her hair, which was beautiful, black and silky; then she +tidied up the "room," which only had the result of making it look +emptier and poorer still.</p> + +<p>She had not long to wait. Hearing the carriage in the road, she ran +out to meet the doctor. As he was walking towards the house she +pointed to the wagon.</p> + +<p>"We live there in our wagon," she said.</p> + +<p>He did not seem surprised; he was accustomed to the extreme poverty of +his patients; but Perrine, who was looking at him, noticed that he +frowned when he saw the sick woman lying on the mattress in the +miserable cart.</p> + +<p>"Put out your tongue and give me your hand," he said.</p> + +<p>Those who pay forty or a hundred francs for a visit from a doctor have +no idea of the brevity with which the poor people's cases are +diagnosed. In less than a minute his examination was made.</p> + +<p>"A case for the hospital," he said.</p> + +<p>Simultaneously, little Perrine and her mother uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"Now, child, leave me alone with your mother," he said in a tone of +command.</p> + +<p>For a moment Perrine hesitated, but at a sign<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> from her mother she +left the wagon and stood just outside.</p> + +<p>"I am going to die," said the woman in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Who says that? What you need is nursing, and you can't get that +here."</p> + +<p>"Could I have my daughter at the hospital?"</p> + +<p>"She can see you Thursdays and Sundays."</p> + +<p>"What will become of her without me," murmured the mother, "alone in +Paris? If I have to die I want to go holding her hand in mine."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyway, you can't be left in this cart. The cold nights would +be fatal for you. You must take a room. Can you?"</p> + +<p>"If it is not for long, perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Grain-of-Salt can rent you one, and won't charge much; but the room +is not all. You must have medicine and good food and care, all of +which you would get at the hospital."</p> + +<p>"Doctor, that is impossible," said the sick woman. "I cannot leave my +little girl. What would become of her?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's as you like; it's your own affair. I have told you what I +think."</p> + +<p>"You can come in, little girl, now," he called out. Then taking a leaf +from his note pad, he wrote out a prescription.</p> + +<p>"Take that to the druggist, near the Church," he said, handing it to +Perrine. "No other, mind you. The packet marked <i>No. 1</i> give to your +mother. Then give her the potion every hour. Give her the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> Quinquina +wine when she eats, for she must eat anything she wants, especially +eggs. I'll drop in again this evening."</p> + +<p>She ran out after him.</p> + +<p>"Is my mama very ill?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Well ... try and get her to go to the hospital."</p> + +<p>"Can't you cure her?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so, but I can't give her what she'll get at the hospital. It +is foolish for her not to go. She won't go because she has to leave +you. Nothing will happen to you, for you look like a girl who can take +care of yourself."</p> + +<p>Striding on, he reached his carriage. Perrine wanted him to say more, +but he jumped in quickly and was driven off. She returned to the +wagon.</p> + +<p>"Go quickly to the druggist; then get some eggs. Take all the money; I +must get well," said the mother.</p> + +<p>"The doctor said he could cure you," said Perrine. "I'll go quickly +for the things."</p> + +<p>But all the money she took was not enough. When the druggist had read +the prescription he looked at Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Have you the money to pay for this?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She opened her hand.</p> + +<p>"This will come to seven francs, fifty," said the man who had already +made his calculation.</p> + +<p>She counted what she had in her hand and found that she had six francs +eighty-five centimes, in counting the Austrian florin as two francs. +She needed thirteen sous more.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have only six francs eighty-five centimes. Would you take this +florin? I have counted that," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I should say not!" replied the man.</p> + +<p>What was to be done? She stood in the middle of the store with her +hand open. She was in despair.</p> + +<p>"If you'll take the florin there will be only thirteen sous lacking," +she said at last, "and I'll bring them this afternoon."</p> + +<p>But the druggist would not agree to this arrangement. He would neither +give her credit for thirteen sous nor accept the florin.</p> + +<p>"As there is no hurry for the wine," he said, "you can come and fetch +it this afternoon. I'll prepare the other things at once and they'll +only cost you three francs fifty."</p> + +<p>With the money that remained she bought some eggs, a little Vienna +loaf which she thought might tempt her mother's appetite, and then she +returned to the Field, running as fast as she could all the way.</p> + +<p>"The eggs are fresh," she said. "I held them up to the light. And look +at the bread! Isn't it a beautiful loaf, mama? You'll eat it, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, darling."</p> + +<p>Both were full of hope. Perrine had absolute faith in the doctor, and +was certain that he would perform the miracle. Why should he deceive +them? When one asks the doctor to tell the truth, doesn't he do so?</p> + +<p>Hope had given the sick woman an appetite. She<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> had eaten nothing for +two days; now she ate a half of the roll.</p> + +<p>"You see," said Perrine, gleefully.</p> + +<p>"Everything will be all right soon," answered her mother with a smile.</p> + +<p>Perrine went to the house to inquire of Grain-of-Salt what steps she +should take to sell the wagon and dear Palikare.</p> + +<p>As for the wagon, nothing was easier. Grain-of-Salt would buy it +himself; he bought everything, furniture, clothes, tools, musical +instruments ... but a donkey! That was another thing. He did not buy +animals, except pups, and his advice was that they should wait for a +day and sell it at the Horse Market. That would be on Wednesday.</p> + +<p>Wednesday seemed a long way off, for in her excitement, and filled +with hope, Perrine had thought that by Wednesday her mother would be +strong enough to start for Maraucourt. But to have to wait like this! +There was one thing, though: With what she got for the wagon she could +buy the two dresses and the railway tickets, and if Grain-of-Salt paid +them enough, then they need not sell Palikare. He could stay at the +Guillot Field and she could send for him after they arrived at +Maraucourt. Dear Palikare! How contented he would be to have a +beautiful stable to live in and go out every day in the green fields.</p> + +<p>But alas! Grain-of-Salt would not give one sou over fifteen francs for +the wagon.</p> + +<p>"Only fifteen francs!" she murmured.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, and I am only doing that to oblige you. What do you think I can +do with it?" he said. He struck the wheels and the shafts with an iron +bar; then shrugged his shoulders in disgust.</p> + +<p>After a great deal of bargaining all she could get was two francs +fifty on the price he had offered, and the promise that he would not +take it until after they had gone, so that they could stay in it all +day, which she thought would be much better for her mother than closed +up in the house.</p> + +<p>After she had looked at the room that Grain-of-Salt was willing to +rent, she realized how much the wagon meant to them, for in spite of +the pride in which he spoke of his "Apartments," and the contempt in +which he spoke of the wagon, Perrine was heartbroken at the thought +that she must bring her dear mother to this dirty smelling house.</p> + +<p>As she hesitated, wondering if her mother would not be poisoned from +the odor which came from the heaps of things outside, Grain-of-Salt +said impatiently:</p> + +<p>"Hurry up! The rag pickers will be here in a moment and I'll have to +get busy."</p> + +<p>"Does the doctor know what these rooms are like?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Sure! He came to this one lots of times to see the Baroness."</p> + +<p>That decided her. If the doctor had seen the rooms he knew what he was +doing in advising them to take one, and then if a Baroness lived in +one, her mother could very well live in the other.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'll have to pay one week in advance," said the landlord, "and +three sous for the donkey and six for the wagon."</p> + +<p>"But you've bought the wagon," she said in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but as you're using it, it's only fair that you should pay."</p> + +<p>She had no reply to make to this. It was not the first time that she +had been cheated. It had happened so often on their long journey.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the poor little girl.</p> + +<p>She employed the greater part of the day in cleaning their room, +washing the floor, wiping down the walls, the ceiling, the windows. +Such a scrubbing had never been seen in that house since the place had +been built!</p> + +<p>During the numerous trips that she made from the house to the pump she +saw that not only did grass and thistles grow in the Field, but there +were flowers. Evidently some neighbors had thrown some plants over the +fence and the seeds had sprung up here and there. Scattered about she +saw a few roots of wall-flowers, pinks and even some violets!</p> + +<p>What a lovely idea! She would pick some and put them in their room. +They would drive away the bad odor, and at the same time make the +place look gay.</p> + +<p>It seemed that the flowers belonged to no one, for Palikare was +allowed to eat them if he wished, yet she was afraid to pick the +tiniest one without first asking Grain-of-Salt.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you want to sell them?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No, just to put a few in our room," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if that's it you may take as many as you like, but if you are +going to sell them, I might do that myself. As it's for your room, +help yourself, little one. You like the smell of flowers. I like the +smell of wine. That's the only thing I can smell."</p> + +<p>She picked the flowers, and searching amongst the heap of broken glass +she found an old vase and some tumblers.</p> + +<p>The miserable room was soon filled with the sweet perfume of +wall-flowers, pinks and violets, which kept out the bad odors of the +rest of the house, and at the same time the fresh, bright colors lent +a beauty to the dark walls.</p> + +<p>While working, she had made the acquaintance of her neighbors. On one +side of their room lived an old woman whose gray head was adorned with +a bonnet decorated with the tri-color ribbon of the French flag. On +the other side lived a big man, almost bent double. He wore a leather +apron, so long and so large that it seemed to be his only garment. The +woman with the tri-color ribbons was a street singer, so the big man +told her, and no less a person than the Baroness of whom Grain-of-Salt +had spoken. Every day she left the Guillot Field with a great red +umbrella and a big stick which she stuck in the ground at the +crossroads or at the end of a bridge. She would shelter herself from +the sun or the rain under her red umbrella and sing,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> and then sell to +the passersby copies of the songs she sang.</p> + +<p>As to the big man with the apron, he was a cobbler, so she learned +from the Baroness, and he worked from morning to night. He was always +silent, like a fish, and for this reason everybody called him Father +Carp. But although he did little talking he made enough noise with his +hammer.</p> + +<p>At sunset Perrine's room was ready. Her mother, as she was helped in, +looked at the flowers with surprise and pleasure.</p> + +<p>"How good you are to your mama, darling," she murmured as she clung to +Perrine's arm.</p> + +<p>"How good I am to myself," Perrine cried gayly, "because if I do +anything that pleases you, I am so happy."</p> + +<p>At night they had to put the flowers outside. Then the odors of the +old house rose up terribly strong, but the sick woman did not dare +complain. What would be the use, for she could not leave the Guillot +Field to go elsewhere?</p> + +<p>Her sleep was restless, and when the doctor came the next morning he +found her worse, which made him change the treatment, and Perrine was +obliged to go again to the druggist. This time he asked five francs to +fill out the prescription. She did not flinch, but paid bravely, +although she could scarcely breathe when she got outside the store. If +the expenses continued to increase at this rate poor Palikare would +have to be sold on Wednesday. He would have to go now anyway. And if +the doctor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a> +</span> prescribed something else the next day, costing five +francs or more, where would she find the money?</p> + +<p>When, with her mother and father, she had tramped over the mountains, +they had often been hungry, and more than once since they had left +Greece on their way to France they had been without food. But hunger +in the mountains and in the country was another thing—there was +always the chance that they would find some wild fruit or vegetables. +But in Paris there was no hope for those who had no money in their +pockets.</p> + +<p>What would become of them? And the terrible thing was that she must +take the responsibility. Her mother was too ill now to think or plan, +and Perrine, although only a child, realized that she must now be the +mother.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday morning her fears were realized. After a brief examination, +the doctor took from his pocket that terrible notebook that Perrine +dreaded to see and began to write. She had the courage to stop him.</p> + +<p>"Doctor, if the medicines which you are ordering are not all of the +same importance," she said, "will you please write out those which are +needed the most?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he asked angrily.</p> + +<p>She trembled but continued bravely:</p> + +<p>"I mean that we have not much money today, and we shall not get any +perhaps until tomorrow ... so...."</p> + +<p>He looked at her, then glanced round the room,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> as though for the +first time remarking their poverty; then he put his notebook back in +his pocket.</p> + +<p>"We won't change the treatment until tomorrow, then," he said. "There +is no hurry for this. Continue the same today."</p> + +<p>"No hurry!" Perrine repeated the words to herself. There was no hurry +then ... her mother was not so ill as she had feared; they had just to +wait and hope....</p> + +<p>Wednesday was the day for which she was waiting, yet at the same time +how she dreaded it. Dear, dear Palikare.... Whenever her mother did +not need her she would run out into the field and kiss his nose and +talk to him, and as he had no work to do, and all the thistles to eat +that he wanted and his little mistress' love, he was the happiest +donkey in the world.</p> + +<p>"Ah, if you only knew," murmured Perrine, as she caressed him.</p> + +<p>But he did not know. All he knew was that she loved him and that the +thistles were good. So, as she kissed and kissed, he brayed in +contentment and shook his long ears as he looked at her from the +corner of his eyes.</p> + +<p>Besides, he had made friends with Grain-of-Salt and had received a +proof of his friendship in a way that flattered his greed. On Monday, +having broken loose, he had trotted up to Grain-of-Salt, who was +occupied in sorting out the rags and bones that had just arrived, and +he stood beside him. The man was about to pour out a drink from the +bottle that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a> +</span> was always beside him when he saw Palikare, his eyes +fixed on him, his neck stretched out.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" he asked. As the words were not said in +anger, the donkey knew, and he did not move.</p> + +<p>"Want a drink ... a glass of wine?" he asked mockingly. The glass that +he was about to put to his lips he offered in a joke to the donkey. +Palikare, taking the offer seriously, came a step nearer and pushing +out his lips to make them as thin and as long as possible, drank a +good half of the glass which had been filled to the brim.</p> + +<p>"<i>Oh la la! la la!</i>" cried Grain-of-Salt, bursting with laughter. +"Baroness! Carp! Come here!"</p> + +<p>At his calls, the Baroness and Carp, also a rag picker who came into +the field at that moment and a man with a push-cart who sold red and +yellow and blue sugar sticks, ran up.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" demanded the Baroness.</p> + +<p>He filled the glass again and held it out to the donkey, who, as +before, absorbed half of the contents amidst the laughter and shouts +of those who looked on.</p> + +<p>"I heard that donkeys liked wine, but I never believed it," said the +candy man.</p> + +<p>"You ought to buy him; he'd be a good companion for you," said the +Baroness.</p> + +<p>"A fine pair," said another.</p> + +<p>But Grain-of-Salt did not buy him, although he took a great liking to +him, and told Perrine that he would go with her on Wednesday to the +Horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a> +</span> Market. This was a great relief for Perrine, for she had +wondered how she would ever be able to find the place; neither did she +know how to discuss prices, and she was very much afraid that she +would be robbed. She had heard so many stories about Paris thieves, +and what could she have done to protect herself?...</p> + +<p>Wednesday morning came. At an early hour she busied herself with +brushing Palikare and making his beautiful coat shine so that he would +look his best. How she kissed him! How she stroked him while her tears +fell!</p> + +<p>When Palikare saw that instead of being hitched to the wagon, a rope +was put round his neck, his surprise was great; and still more +surprised was he when Grain-of-Salt, who did not want to walk all the +way from Charonne to the Horse Market, climbed up on a chair and from +the chair onto his back. But as Perrine held him and spoke to him, he +offered no resistance. Besides, was not Grain-of-Salt his friend?</p> + +<p>They started thus. Palikare, still surprised, walked gravely along, +led by Perrine. On through the streets they went. At first they met +but few vehicles, and soon they arrived at a bridge which jutted into +a large garden.</p> + +<p>"That's the Zoo," said Grain-of-Salt, "and I'm sure that they haven't +got a donkey there like yours."</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps we can sell him to the Zoo," exclaimed Perrine, thinking +that in a zoological<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a> +</span> garden all the animals have to do is to walk +about and be looked at. That would be very nice for dear Palikare!</p> + +<p>"An affair with the Government," said Grain-of-Salt; "better not, +'cause the Government...."</p> + +<p>From his expression it was evident that Grain-of-Salt had no faith in +the Government.</p> + +<p>From now on the traffic was intense. Perrine needed all her wits and +eyes about her. After what seemed a long time they arrived at the +Market and Grain-of-Salt jumped off the donkey. But while he was +getting down Palikare had time to gaze about him, and when Perrine +tried to make him go through the iron gate at the entrance he refused +to budge.</p> + +<p>He seemed to know by instinct that this was a market where horses and +donkeys were sold. He was afraid. Perrine coaxed him, commanded him, +begged him, but he still refused to move. Grain-of-Salt thought that +if he pushed him from behind he would go forward, but Palikare, who +would not permit such familiarity, backed and reared, dragging Perrine +with him.</p> + +<p>There was already a small circle of onlookers around them. In the +first row, as usual, there were messenger boys and errand boys, each +giving his word of advice as to what means to use to force the donkey +through the gate.</p> + +<p>"That there donkey is going to give some trouble to the fool who buys +him," cried one.</p> + +<p>These were dangerous words that might affect the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> sale, so +Grain-of-Salt thought he ought to say something.</p> + +<p>"He's the cleverest donkey that ever was!" he cried. "He knows he's +going to be sold, and he's doin' this 'cause he loves us and don't +want ter leave us!"</p> + +<p>"Are you so sure of that, Grain-of-Salt?" called out a voice in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>"Zooks! who knows my name here?" cried the one addressed.</p> + +<p>"Don't you recognize La Rouquerie?"</p> + +<p>"My faith, that's so," he cried, as the speaker came forward. They +shook hands.</p> + +<p>"That donkey yours?"</p> + +<p>"No; it belongs to this little gal."</p> + +<p>"Do you know anything about it?"</p> + +<p>"We've had more than one glass together, and if you want a good donkey +I'll speak for him."</p> + +<p>"I need one and yet I don't need one," said La Rouquerie.</p> + +<p>"Well, come and take a drink. 'Tain't worthwhile to pay for a place +in the Market...."</p> + +<p>"Especially if he won't budge!"</p> + +<p>"I told you he was a smart one; he's that intelligent."</p> + +<p>"If I buy him it's not for his tricks nor 'cause he can take a drink +with one, but he must work."</p> + +<p>"He can work, sure! He's come all the way from Greece without +stopping."</p> + +<p>"From Greece!"</p> + +<p>Grain-of-Salt made a sign to Perrine to follow<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> him, and Palikare, now +that he knew that he was not going into the market, trotted beside her +docilely. She did not even have to pull his rope.</p> + +<p>Who was this prospective buyer? A man? A woman? From the general +appearance and the hairless face it might be a woman of about fifty, +but from the clothes, which consisted of a workingman's blouse and +trousers and a tall leather hat like a coachman wears, and from the +short, black pipe which the individual was smoking, it surely was a +man. But whatever it was, Perrine decided that the person looked kind. +The expression was not hard or wicked.</p> + +<p>Grain-of-Salt and the stranger turned down a narrow street and stopped +at a wine shop. They sat down at one of the tables outside on the +pavement and ordered a bottle of wine and two glasses. Perrine +remained by the curb, still holding her donkey.</p> + +<p>"You'll see if he isn't cunning," said Grain-of-Salt, holding out his +full glass.</p> + +<p>Palikare stretched out his neck, thinned his lips and quickly drank +the half glass of wine.</p> + +<p>But this feat did not give La Rouquerie any particular satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"I don't want him to drink my wine, but to drag my cart with the +rabbit skins," she said.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I just tell you that he came from Greece, draggin' a wagon the +whole way?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's another thing!"</p> + +<p>The strange looking woman carefully examined the animal; then she gave +the greatest attention to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> every detail; then asked +Perrine how much she wanted for him. The price which Perrine had arranged +with her landlord beforehand was one hundred francs. This was the sum that +she asked.</p> + +<p>La Rouquerie gave a cry of amazement. One hundred francs! Sell a +donkey without any guarantee for that sum! Were they crazy? Then she +began to find all kind of faults with the unfortunate Palikare.</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," said Grain-of-Salt, after a lengthy discussion; +"we'll take him to the Market."</p> + +<p>Perrine breathed. The thought of only getting twenty francs had +stunned her. In their terrible distress what would twenty francs be? A +hundred francs even was not sufficient for their pressing needs.</p> + +<p>"Let's see if he'll go in any more now than he did then," cried La +Rouquerie.</p> + +<p>Palikare followed Perrine up to the Market gates obediently, but once +there he stopped short. She insisted, and talked, and pulled at the +rope, but it was no use. Finally he sat down in the middle of the +street.</p> + +<p>"Palikare, do come! Do come, dear Palikare," Perrine said, +imploringly.</p> + +<p>But he sat there as though he did not understand a word of what she +was saying. A crowd gathered round and began to jeer.</p> + +<p>"Set fire to his tail," cried one.</p> + +<p>Grain-of-Salt was furious, Perrine in despair.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You see he won't go in," cried La Rouquerie. "I'll give thirty +francs, that's ten more'n I said, 'cause his cunning shows that this +donkey is a good boy, but hurry up and take the money or I'll buy +another."</p> + +<p>Grain-of-Salt consulted Perrine with a glance; he made her a sign +that she ought to accept the offer. But she seemed stunned at such a +fraud. She was standing there undecided when a policeman told her +roughly that she was blocking up the street and that she must move on.</p> + +<p>"Go forward, or go back, but don't stand there," he ordered.</p> + +<p>She could not go forward, for Palikare had no intention of doing so. +As soon as he understood that she had given up all hope of getting him +into the Market, he got up and followed her docilely, agitating his +long ears with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Now," said La Rouquerie, after she had put thirty francs into poor +Perrine's hand, "you must take him to my place, for I'm beginning to +know him and he's quite capable of refusing to come with me. I don't +live far from here."</p> + +<p>But Grain-of-Salt would not consent to do this; he declared that the +distance was too far for him.</p> + +<p>"You go with the lady alone," he said to Perrine, "and don't be too +cut up about your donkey. He'll be all right with her. She's a good +woman."</p> + +<p>"But how shall I find my way back to Charonne?" asked Perrine, +bewildered. She dreaded to be lost in the great city.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You follow the fortifications ... nothing easier."</p> + +<p>As it happened, the street where La Rouquerie lived was not far from +the Horse Market, and it did not take them long to get there. There +were heaps of garbage before her place, just like in Guillot Field.</p> + +<p>The moment of parting had come. As she tied Palikare up in a little +stable, her tears fell on his head.</p> + +<p>"Don't take on so," said the woman; "I'll take care of him, I promise +you."</p> + +<p>"We loved him so much," said little Perrine. Then she went on her +way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h4>"POOR LITTLE GIRL"</h4> + +<p class="cap">WHAT was she to do with thirty francs when she had calculated that +they must at least have one hundred? She turned this question over in +her mind sadly as she walked along by the fortifications. She found +her way back easily. She put the money into her mother's hand, for she +did not know how to spend it. It was her mother who decided what to +do.</p> + +<p>"We must go at once to Maraucourt," she said.</p> + +<p>"But are you strong enough?" Perrine asked doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"I must be. We have waited too long in the hope that I should get +better. And while we wait our money is going. What poor Palikare has +brought us will go also. I did not want to go in this miserable +state...."</p> + +<p>"When must we go? Today?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"No; it's too late today. We must go tomorrow morning. You go and find +out the hours of the train and the price of the tickets. It is the +Gare du Nord station, and the place where we get out is Picquigny."</p> + +<p>Perrine anxiously sought Grain-of-Salt. He told her it was better for +her to consult a time table<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +than to go to the station, which was a long way off. From the time table +they learned that there were two trains in the morning, one at six o'clock +and one at ten, and that the fare to Picquigny, third class, was nine +francs twenty-five centimes.</p> + +<p>"We'll take the ten o'clock train," said her mother, "and we will take +a cab, for I certainly cannot walk to the station."</p> + +<p>And yet when nine o'clock the next day came she could not even get to +the cab that Perrine had waiting for her. She attempted the few steps +from her room to the cab, but would have fallen to the ground had not +Perrine held her.</p> + +<p>"I must go back," she said weakly. "Don't be anxious ... it will +pass."</p> + +<p>But it did not pass, and the Baroness, who was watching them depart, +had to bring a chair. The moment she dropped into the seat she +fainted.</p> + +<p>"She must go back and lie down," said the Baroness, rubbing her cold +hands. "It is nothing, girl; don't look so scared ... just go and find +Carp. The two of us can carry her to her room. You can't go ... not +just now."</p> + +<p>The Baroness soon had the sick woman in her bed, where she regained +consciousness.</p> + +<p>"Now you must just stay there in your bed," said the Baroness, kindly. +"You can go just as well tomorrow. I'll get Carp to give you a nice +cup of bouillon. He loves soup as much as the landlord loves wine; +winter and summer he gets up at five<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +o'clock and makes his soup; good stuff it is, too. Few can make better."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for a reply, she went to Carp, who was again at his +work.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me a cup of your bouillon for our patient?" she asked.</p> + +<p>He replied with a smile only, but he quickly took the lid from a +saucepan and filled a cup with the savory soup.</p> + +<p>The Baroness returned with it, carrying it carefully, so as not to +spill a drop.</p> + +<p>"Take that, my dear lady," she said, kneeling down beside the bed. +"Don't move, but just open your lips."</p> + +<p>A spoonful was put to the sick woman's lips, but she could not swallow +it. Again she fainted, and this time she remained unconscious for a +longer time. The Baroness saw that the soup was not needed, and so as +not to waste it, she made Perrine take it.</p> + +<p>A day passed. The doctor came, but there was nothing he could do.</p> + +<p>Perrine was in despair. She wondered how long the thirty francs that +La Rouquerie had given her would last. Although their expenses were +not great, there was first one thing, then another, that was needed. +When the last sous were spent, where would they go? What would become +of them if they could get no more money?</p> + +<p>She was seated beside her mother's bedside, her beautiful little face +white and drawn with anxiety.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> Suddenly she felt her mother's hand, +which she held in hers, clasp her fingers more tightly.</p> + +<p>"You want something?" she asked quickly, bending her head.</p> + +<p>"I want to speak to you ... the hour has come for my last words to +you, darling," said her mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mama! mama!" cried Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Don't interrupt, darling, and let us both try to control ourselves. I +did not want to frighten you, and that is the reason why, until now, I +have said nothing that would add to your grief. But what I have to say +must be said, although it hurts us both. We are going to part...."</p> + +<p>In spite of her efforts, Perrine could not keep back her sobs.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is terrible, dear child, and yet I am wondering if, after +all, it is not for the best ... that you will be an orphan. It may be +better for you to go alone than to be taken to them by a mother whom +they have scorned. Well, God's will is that you should be left alone +... in a few hours ... tomorrow, perhaps...."</p> + +<p>For a moment she stopped, overcome with emotion.</p> + +<p>"When I ... am gone ... there will be things for you to do. In my +pocket you will find a large envelope which contains my marriage +certificate. The certificate bears my name and your father's. You will +be asked to show it, but make them give it back to you. You might need +it later on to prove your parentage. Take great care of it, dear. +How<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a> +</span>ever, you might lose it, so I want you to learn it by heart, so +that you will never forget it. Then, when a day comes and you need it, +you must get another copy. You understand? Remember all that I tell +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mama; yes."</p> + +<p>"You will be very unhappy, but you must not give way to despair. When +you have nothing more to do in Paris ... when you are left alone ... +then you must go off at once to Maraucourt ... by train if you have +enough money ... on foot, if you have not. Better to sleep by the +roadside and have nothing to eat than to stay in Paris. You promise to +leave Paris at once, Perrine?"</p> + +<p>"I promise, mama," sobbed the little girl.</p> + +<p>The sick woman made a sign that she wanted to say more, but that she +must rest for a moment. Little Perrine waited, her eyes fixed on her +mother's face.</p> + +<p>"You will go to Maraucourt?" said the dying woman after a few moments +had passed. "You have no right to claim anything ... what you get must +be for yourself alone ... be good, and make yourself loved. All is +there ... for you. I have hope ... you will be loved for yourself ... +they cannot help loving you ... and then your troubles will be over, +my darling."</p> + +<p>She clasped her hands in prayer. Then a look of heavenly rapture came +over her face.</p> + +<p>"I see," she cried; "I see ... my darling will be loved! She will be +happy ... she will be cared<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +for. I can die in peace now with this thought ... Perrine, my Perrine, +keep a place in your heart for me always, child...."</p> + +<p>These words, which seemed like an exaltation to Heaven, had exhausted +her; she sank back on the mattress and sighed. Perrine waited ... +waited. Her mother did not speak. She was dead. Then the child left +the bedside and went out of the house. In the field she threw herself +down on the grass and broke into sobs. It seemed as though her little +heart would break.</p> + +<p>It was a long time before she could calm herself. Then her breath came +in hiccoughs. Vaguely she thought that she ought not to leave her +mother alone. Someone should watch over her.</p> + +<p>The field was now filled with shadows; the night was falling. She +wandered about, not knowing where she went, still sobbing.</p> + +<p>She passed the wagon for the tenth time. The candy man, who had +watched her come out of the house, went towards her with two sugar +sticks in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Poor little girl," he said, pityingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh!..." she sobbed.</p> + +<p>"There, there! Take these," he said, offering her the candy. +"Sweetness is good for sorrow."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h4>A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL</h4> + +<p class="cap">THE last prayers had been uttered. Perrine still stood before the +grave. The Baroness, who had not left her, gently took her arm.</p> + +<p>"Come," she said; "you must come away," she added more firmly as +Perrine attempted to resist her.</p> + +<p>Holding her tightly by the arm, she drew her away. They walked on for +some moments, Perrine not knowing what was passing around her, nor +understanding where they were leading her. Her thoughts, her spirit, +her heart, were with her mother.</p> + +<p>At last they stopped in one of the side paths; then she saw standing +round her the Baroness, who had now let go of her arm, Grain-of-Salt +and the candy man, but she saw them only vaguely. The Baroness had +black ribbons on her bonnet; Grain-of-Salt was dressed like a +gentleman and wore a high silk hat; Carp had replaced his leather +apron by a black Prince Albert which came down to his feet, and the +candy man had cast aside his white blouse for a cloth coat. For, like +the real Parisian who practises the cult of the dead, they had dressed +themselves up in their best to pay respect to the one they had just +buried.</p> + +<p>"I want to tell you, little one," commenced Grain<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>-of-Salt, who +thought that he should speak first, being the most important person +present; "I want to tell you that you can stay as long as you like in +Guillot Fields without paying."</p> + +<p>"If you'd like to sing with me," said the Baroness, "you can earn +enough to live on. It's a nice profession."</p> + +<p>"If you'd like to go into the candy business, I'll teach you; that's a +real trade and a nice one," said the candy man.</p> + +<p>Carp said nothing, but with a smile and a gesture he let her +understand that she could always find a bowl of soup at his place ... +and good soup, too!</p> + +<p>Perrine's eyes filled with fresh tears, soft tears which washed away +the bitterness of the burning ones which for two days had flowed from +her eyes.</p> + +<p>"How good you all are to me," she murmured.</p> + +<p>"One does what one can," said Grain-of-Salt.</p> + +<p>"One should not leave an honest little girl like you on the streets of +Paris," said the Baroness.</p> + +<p>"I must not stay in Paris," replied Perrine; "I must go at once to my +relations."</p> + +<p>"You have relations?" exclaimed Grain-of-Salt, looking at the others +with an air which said that he did not think that those relations +could be worth much. "Where are your relations?"</p> + +<p>"Near Amiens."</p> + +<p>"And how can you go to Amiens? Have you got money?"</p> + +<p>"Not enough to take the train, but I'm going to walk there."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you know the way?"</p> + +<p>"I have a map in my pocket...."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but does that tell you which road you have to take from here, +here in Paris?"</p> + +<p>"No, but if you will tell me...."</p> + +<p>They all were eager to give her this information, but it was all so +confused and contradictory that Grain-of-Salt cut the talk short.</p> + +<p>"If you want to lose yourself in Paris, just listen to what they are +saying," he said. "Now, this is the way you must go," and he explained +to her which road she should take. "Now, when do you want to go?"</p> + +<p>"At once; I promised my mother," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"You must obey her," said the Baroness, solemnly, "but not before I've +kissed you; you're a good girl."</p> + +<p>The men shook hands with her.</p> + +<p>She knew she must leave the cemetery, yet she hesitated and turned +once more towards the grave that she had just left, but the Baroness +stopped her.</p> + +<p>"As you are obliged to go, go at once; it is best," she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, go," said Grain-of-Salt.</p> + +<p>When she had climbed into the car on the belt line she took an old map +of France from her pocket which she had consulted many times alone +since they left Italy. From Paris to Amiens the road was easy; she had +only to take the Calais road; this was indicated on her map by a +little black line. From Amiens she would go to Boulogne, and as she +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +had learned also to calculate distances, she thought that to +Maraucourt it ought to be about one hundred and fifty-eight miles.</p> + +<p>But could she do all those miles, regularly ... go on day after day? +She knew that to walk four or five miles by chance on one day was a +very different matter to taking a long, continuous journey like she +was contemplating. There would be bad days ... rainy days ... and how +long would her money last? She had only five francs thirty-five +centimes left. The train pulled up at the station at which she had to +get out. Now she had to turn to the right, and as the sun would not go +down for two or three hours she hoped to be far away from Paris by +night, and find a place in the open country where she could sleep.</p> + +<p>Yet as far as her eyes could see there was nothing but houses and +factories, factories with great tall chimneys sending forth clouds of +thick, black smoke, and all along the road wagons, tramways and carts. +Again she saw a lot of trucks bearing the name that she had noticed +while waiting to pass through the Gates: "Maraucourt Factories, +Vulfran Paindavoine."</p> + +<p>Would Paris ever end? Would she ever get out of this great city? She +was not afraid of the lonely fields, nor the silence of the country at +night, nor the mysterious shadows, but of Paris, the crowd, the +lights. She was now on the outskirts of the city. Before leaving it +(although she had no appetite), she thought she would buy a piece of +bread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a> +</span> so that she would have something to eat before going to sleep. +She went into a baker shop.</p> + +<p>"I want some bread, please," she said.</p> + +<p>"Have you any money?" demanded the woman, who did not seem to put much +confidence in Perrine's appearance.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I want one pound, please. Here is five francs. Will you give +me the change?"</p> + +<p>Before cutting the bread the woman took up the five franc piece and +examined it.</p> + +<p>"What! that!" she exclaimed, making it ring on the marble slab.</p> + +<p>"It's a five franc piece," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Who told you to try and pass that off on me?" asked the woman, +angrily.</p> + +<p>"No one, and I am asking you for a pound of bread for my supper."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, you won't get any bread, and you'd better get out of here +as quickly as you can before I have you arrested."</p> + +<p>"Arrested! Why?" she stammered in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Because you're a thief!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!..."</p> + +<p>"You want to pass counterfeit money on me. You vagabond ... you thief! +Be off! No, wait; I'll get a policeman."</p> + +<p>Perrine knew that she was not a thief, whether the money was real or +false, but vagabond she was. She had no home, no parents. What would +she answer the policeman? They would arrest her for being a vagabond. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>She put this question to herself very quickly, but although her fear +was great, she thought of her money.</p> + +<p>"If you don't wish to sell me the bread, at least you can give me back +my money," she said, holding out her hand.</p> + +<p>"So that you can pass it on someone else, eh? I'll keep your money. If +you want it, go and fetch the police," cried the woman, furiously. "Be +off, you thief."</p> + +<p>The woman's loud cries could be heard in the street, and several +people by now had gathered round the door.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" someone cried.</p> + +<p>"Why, this girl here is trying to rob my till," shouted the woman. +"There never is a cop when one wants one."</p> + +<p>Terrified, Perrine wondered how she could get out, but they let her +pass as she made for the door, hissing her and calling her names as +she ran. She ran on and on, too afraid to turn round to see if anyone +was following her.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes, which to her seemed hours, she found herself in +the country, and was able to stop and breathe. No one was calling +after her; no one following her.</p> + +<p>After her fears had calmed down she realized that she had nothing to +eat and no money. What should she do? Instinctively she glanced at the +fields by the wayside. She saw beets, onions, cabbages, but there was +nothing there ready to eat, and besides,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> even if there had been ripe +melons and trees laden with fruit, what good would they have been to +her; she could not stretch out her hand to pick the fruit any more +than she could stretch it out to beg of the passersby. No, little +Perrine was not a thief, nor a beggar, nor a vagabond.</p> + +<p>She felt very depressed. It was eventide, and in the quietness of the +twilight she realized how utterly alone she was; but she knew that she +must not give way; she felt that while there was still light she must +walk on, and by the time night fell perhaps she would have found a +spot where she could sleep in safety.</p> + +<p>She had not gone far before she found what she thought would be the +very place. As she came to a field of artichokes she saw a man and +woman picking artichoke heads and packing them in baskets, which they +piled up in a cart that stood by the roadside. She stopped to look at +them at their work. A moment later another cart driven by a girl came +up.</p> + +<p>"So you're getting yours all in?" called out the girl.</p> + +<p>"Should say so, and it's none too soon," replied the man. "It's no fun +sleeping here all night to watch for those rogues. I at least shall +sleep in my bed tonight."</p> + +<p>"And what about Monneau's lot?" grinned the girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Monneau's a sly dog," answered the man; "he counts on us others +watching out for his. He's<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +not going to be here tonight. Serve him +right if he finds all his gone!"</p> + +<p>All three laughed heartily. They were not over-anxious that Monneau +should prosper. Didn't he profit by their watch to take his own +slumbers in peace?</p> + +<p>"That'll be a joke, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Wait for me," said the girl. "I won't be a jiffy; then we'll go +together."</p> + +<p>The man and the woman waited, and in a few minutes the girl had +finished her task and the two carts, laden with artichokes, went +towards the village. Perrine stood in the deserted road looking at the +two fields, which presented such a difference in appearance. One was +completely stripped of its vegetables; the other was filled with a +splendid crop. At the end of the field was a little hut made of +branches where the man who watched the field had slept. Perrine +decided that she would stay there for the night, now that she knew it +would not be occupied by the watch. She did not fear that she would be +disturbed, yet she dared not take possession of the place until it was +quite dark. She sat down by a ditch and waited, thankful that she had +found what she wanted. Then at last, when it was quite dark and all +was quiet, she picked her way carefully over the beds of artichokes +and slipped into the hut. It was better inside than she had hoped, for +the ground was covered with straw and there was a wooden box that +would serve her for a pillow.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ever since she had run from the baker's shop it had seemed to her that +she was like a tracked animal, and more than once she had looked +behind her with fear, half expecting to see the police on her heels.</p> + +<p>She felt now in the hut that she was safe. Her nerves relaxed. After a +few minutes she realized that she had another cause for anxiety. She +was hungry, very hungry. While she was tramping along the roads, +overwhelmed by her great loss, it had seemed to her that she would +never want to eat or drink again. She felt the pangs of hunger now and +she had only one sou left. How could she live on one sou for five or +six days? This was a very serious question. But then, had she not +found shelter for the night; perhaps she would find food for the +morrow.</p> + +<p>She closed her eyes, her long black lashes heavy with tears. The last +thing at night she had always thought of her dead father; now it was +the spirits of both her father and her mother that seemed to hover +around her. Again and again she stretched out her arms in the darkness +to them, and then, worn out with fatigue, with a sob she dropped off +to sleep.</p> + +<p>But although she was tired out, her slumbers were broken. She turned +and tossed on the straw. Every now and again the rumbling of a cart on +the road would wake her, and sometimes some mysterious noise, which in +the silence of the night made her heart beat quickly. Then it seemed +to her that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"> +[Pg 56]</a></span> heard a cart stop near the hut on the road. She +raised herself on her elbow to listen.</p> + +<p>She had not made a mistake; she heard some whispering. She sprang to +her feet and looked through the cracks of the hut. A cart had stopped +at the end of the field, and by the pale light from the stars she +could dimly see the form of a man or woman throwing out baskets to two +others, who carried them into the field. This was Monneau's lot. What +did it mean at such an hour? Had Monneau come so late to cut his +artichokes?</p> + +<p>Then she understood! These were the thieves! They had come to strip +Monneau's field! They quickly cut the artichoke heads and heaped them +up in the baskets. The woman had taken the cart away; evidently they +did not want it to stay on the road while they worked for fear of +attracting the attention of anyone passing by.</p> + +<p>What would happen to her if the thieves saw her? She had heard that +thieves sometimes killed a person who caught them at their work. There +was the chance that they would not discover her. For they certainly +knew that the hut would not be occupied on this night that they had +planned to strip the field. But if they caught her? And then ... if +they were arrested, she would be taken with them!</p> + +<p>At this thought cold beads of perspiration broke out on her forehead. +Thieves work quickly; they would soon have finished!</p> + +<p>But presently they were disturbed. From the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> distance could be heard +the noise of a cart on the paved road. As it drew nearer they hid +themselves, lying down flat between the artichoke beds.</p> + +<p>The cart passed. Then they went on with their work even more quickly. +In spite of their feverish haste it seemed to little Perrine that they +would never be finished. Every moment she feared that someone would +come and catch them and she be arrested with them.</p> + +<p>If she could only get away. She looked about her to see if it were +possible for her to leave the hut. This could easily be done, but then +they would be sure to see her once she was on the road. It would be +better to remain where she was.</p> + +<p>She lay down again and pretended to sleep. As it was impossible for +her to go out without being seen, it was wiser to pretend that she had +not seen anything if they should come into the hut.</p> + +<p>For some time they went on cutting the artichokes. Then there was +another noise on the road. It was their cart coming back. It stopped +at the end of the field. In a few minutes the baskets were all stowed +in the cart and the thieves jumped in and drove off hurriedly in the +direction of Paris.</p> + +<p>If she had known the hour she could have slept until dawn, but not +knowing how long she had been there, she thought that it would be +better if she went on her way. In the country people are about at an +early hour. If, when day broke, the laborers going to work saw her +coming out of the hut, or even if they saw her round about the field, +they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +might suspect her of having been with the thieves and arrest +her.</p> + +<p>So she slipped out of the hut, ears on the alert for the slightest +noise, eyes glancing in every direction.</p> + +<p>She reached the main road, then hurried off. The stars in the skies +above were disappearing, and from the east a faint streak of light lit +the shadows of the night and announced the approach of day. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h4>STORMS AND FEARS</h4> + +<p class="cap">SHE had not walked far before she saw in the distance a black mass +silhouetted against the dawning light to the grey sky. Chimneys, +houses and steeples rose up in the coming dawn, leaving the rest of +the landscape obscure in the shadows.</p> + +<p>She reached the first straggling cottages of the village. +Instinctively she trod more softly on the paved road. This was a +useless precaution, for with the exception of the cats which ran about +the streets, everyone slept, and her little footsteps only awoke a few +dogs who barked at her behind closed gates.</p> + +<p>She was famished; she was weak and faint with hunger.</p> + +<p>What would become of her if she dropped unconscious? She was afraid +she might soon. So that this would not happen, she thought it better +to rest a minute, and as she was now passing before a barn full of +hay, she went in quietly and threw herself down on the soft bed. The +rest, the warmth, and also the sweet smell of the hay, soothed her and +soon she slept.</p> + +<p>When she awoke the sun was already high in the heavens and was casting +its rays over the fields where men and women were busily at work. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>The pangs of hunger were now more acute than ever. Her head whirled; +she was so giddy that she could scarcely see where she went as she +staggered on. She had just reached the top of a hill, and before her, +close by, was the village with its shops. She would spend her last sou +for a piece of bread! She had heard of people finding money on the +road; perhaps she would find a coin tomorrow; anyhow, she must have a +piece of bread now.</p> + +<p>She looked carefully at the last sou she possessed. Poor little girl, +she did not know the difference between real money and false, and +although she thought this sou looked real, she was very nervous when +she entered the first baker shop that she came across.</p> + +<p>"Will you cut me a sou's worth of bread?" she asked, timidly.</p> + +<p>The man behind the counter took from the basket a little penny roll +and handed it to her. Instead of stretching out her hand, she +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"If you'll cut a piece for me," she said, "it doesn't matter if it is +not today's bread."</p> + +<p>The baker gave her a large piece of bread that had been on the counter +for two or three days.</p> + +<p>What did that matter? The great thing was that it was larger than the +little penny roll. It was worth two rolls.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was in her hand her mouth filled with water. But she +would not eat it until she had got out of the village. This she did +very quickly. As soon as she had passed the last house, she took +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> her +little knife from her pocket and made a cross on the piece of bread so +as to be able to cut it into four equal parts. She took one piece, +keeping the three others for the three following days, hoping that it +might last her until she reached Amiens.</p> + +<p>She had calculated this as she had hurried through the village, and it +had seemed such an easy matter. But scarcely had she swallowed a +mouthful of her little piece of bread than she felt that the strongest +arguments had no power against hunger. She was famished! She must eat! +The second piece followed the first, the third followed the second. +Never had her will power been so weak. She was hungry; she must have +it ... all ... all. Her only excuse was that the pieces were so tiny. +When all four were put together, the whole only weighed a half a +pound. And a whole pound would not have been enough for her in her +ravenous condition. The day before she had only had a little cup of +soup that Carp had given her. She devoured the fourth piece.</p> + +<p>She went on her way. Although she had only just eaten her piece of +bread, a terrible thought obsessed her. Where would she next get a +mouthful? She now knew what torture she would have to go through ... +the pangs of hunger were terrible to endure. Where should she get her +next meal? She walked through two more villages. She was getting +thirsty now, very thirsty. Her tongue was dry, her lips parched. She +came to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62] +</a></span> last house in the village, but she did not dare ask for a +glass of water. She had noticed that the people looked at her +curiously, and even the dogs seemed to show their teeth at the ragged +picture she presented.</p> + +<p>She must walk on. The sun was very hot now, and her thirst became more +intense as she tramped along the white road. There was not a tree +along the road, and little clouds of dust rose around her every +instant, making her lips more parched. Oh, for a drink of water! The +palate of her mouth seemed hard, like a corn.</p> + +<p>The fact that she was thirsty had not worried her at first. One did +not have to go into a shop to buy water. Anybody could have it. When +she saw a brook or a river she had only to make a cup of her hands and +drink all she wanted. But she had walked miles in the dust and could +see no sign of water. At last she picked up some little round stones +and put them in her mouth. Her tongue seemed to be moister while she +kept them there. She changed them from time to time, hoping that she +would soon come to a brook.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly the atmosphere changed, and although the heat was still +suffocating, the sun was hidden. Thick black clouds filled the sky. A +storm was coming on, there would be rain, and she would be able to +hold her mouth up to it, or she could stoop down to the puddles that +it made and drink!</p> + +<p>The wind came up. A terrific swirl, carrying<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> clouds of dust and +leaves, swept over the country and battered down the crops, uprooting +plants and shrubs in its mad fracas. Perrine could not withstand this +whirlwind. As she was lifted off her feet, a deafening crash of +thunder shook the earth. Throwing herself down in the ditch, she laid +flat on her stomach, covering her mouth and her eyes with her two +small hands. The thunder rolled heavily on.</p> + +<p>A moment ago she had been mad with thirst and had prayed that the +storm would break quickly; now she realized that the storm would not +only bring thunder and rain, but lightning—terrible flashes of +lightning that almost blinded her.</p> + +<p>And there would be torrents of rain and hail! Where could she go? Her +dress would be soaked, and how could she dry it?</p> + +<p>She clambered out of the ditch. In the distance she saw a wood. She +thought that she might find a nook there where she could take shelter.</p> + +<p>She had no time to lose. It was very dark. The claps of thunder became +more frequent and louder, and the vivid lightning played fantastically +on the black sky.</p> + +<p>Would she be able to reach the wood before the storm broke? She ran as +quickly as her panting breath would allow, now and again casting a +look behind her at the black clouds which seemed to be sweeping down +upon her.</p> + +<p>She had seen terrible storms in the mountains when travelling with her +father and mother, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"> +[Pg 64]</a></span> they were with her then; now she was alone. +Not a soul near her in this desolate country. Fortunately the wind was +behind her; it blew her along, at times carrying her off her feet. If +she could only keep up this pace; the storm had not caught up with her +yet.</p> + +<p>Holding her elbows against her little body and bending forward, she +ran on ... but the storm also made greater strides.</p> + +<p>At this moment came a crash, louder and heavier. The storm was just +over her now and the ground around her was cleaved with blue flames. +It was better to stop running now; far better be drenched than struck +down by lightning.</p> + +<p>Soon a few drops of rain fell. Fortunately she was nearing the wood, +and now she could distinguish clearly the great trees. A little more +courage. Many times her father had told her that if one kept one's +courage in times of danger one stood a better chance of being saved. +She kept on.</p> + +<p>When at last she entered the forest it was all so black and dark she +could scarcely make out anything. Then suddenly a flash of lightning +dazzled her, and in the vivid glare she thought she saw a little cabin +not far away to which led a bad road hollowed with deep ruts. Again +the lightning flashed across the darkness, and she saw that she had +not made a mistake. About fifty steps farther on there was a little +hut made of faggots, that the woodcutters had built.</p> + +<p>She made a final dash; then, at the end of her<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> strength, worn out and +breathless, she sank down on the underbrush that covered the floor.</p> + +<p>She had not regained her breath when a terrible noise filled the +forest. The crash, mingled with the splintering of wood, was so +terrific that she thought her end had come. The trees bent their +trunks, twisting and writhing, and the dead branches fell everywhere +with a dull, crackling sound.</p> + +<p>Could her hut withstand this fury? She crawled to the opening. She had +no time to think—a blue flame, followed by a frightful crash, threw +her over, blinded and dazed. When she came to herself, astonished to +find that she was still alive, she looked out and saw that a giant oak +that stood near the hut had been struck by lightning. In falling its +length the trunk had been stripped of its bark from top to bottom, and +two of the biggest branches were twisted round its roots.</p> + +<p>She crept back, trembling, terrified at the thought that Death had +been so near her, so near that its terrible breath had laid her low. +As she stood there, pale and shaking, she heard an extraordinary +rolling sound, more powerful than that of an express train. It was the +rain and the hail which was beating down on the forest. The cabin +cracked from top to bottom; the roof bent under the fury of the +tempest, but it did not fall in. No house, however solid, could be to +her what this little hut was at this moment, and she was mistress of +it.</p> + +<p>She grew calm; she would wait here until the storm had passed. A sense +of well-being stole over<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +her, and although the thunder continued to rumble and the rain came down in +a deluge, and the wind whistled through the trees, and the unchained +tempest went on its mad way through the air and on the earth, she felt safe +in her little hut. Then she made a pillow for her head from the underbrush, +and stretching herself out, she fell asleep.</p> + +<p>When she awoke the thunder had stopped, but the rain was still falling +in a fine drizzle. The forest, with its solitude and silence, did not +terrify her. She was refreshed from her long sleep and she liked her +little cabin so much that she thought she would spend the night there. +She at least had a roof over her head and a dry bed.</p> + +<p>She did not know how long she had slept, but that did not matter; she +would know when night came.</p> + +<p>She had not washed herself since she had left Paris, and the dust +which had covered her from head to foot made her skin smart. Now she +was alone, and there was plenty of water in the ditch outside and she +would profit by it.</p> + +<p>In her pocket she had, beside her map and her mother's certificate, a +few little things tied up in a rag. There was a piece of soap, a small +comb, a thimble, and a spool of thread, in which she had stuck two +needles. She undid her packet; then taking off her vest, her shoes, +and her stockings, she leaned over the ditch, in which the water +flowed clear, and soaped her face, shoulders and feet. For a towel she +had only the rag she had used to tie up<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> her belongings, and it was +neither big nor thick, but it was better than nothing.</p> + +<p>This <i>toilette</i> did her almost as much good as her sleep. She combed +her golden hair in two big braids and let them hang over her +shoulders. If it were not for the little pain in her stomach, and the +few torn places in her shoes, which had been the cause of her sore +feet, she would have been quite at ease in mind and body.</p> + +<p>She was hungry, but there was nothing she could do. She could not find +a bit of nourishment in this cabin, and as it was still raining, she +felt that she ought not to leave this shelter until the next day.</p> + +<p>Then when night came her hunger became more intense, till finally she +began to cut some twigs and nibble on them, but they were hard and +bitter, and after chewing on them for a few minutes she threw them +away. She tried the leaves; they went down easier.</p> + +<p>While she ate her meal and darned her stockings, night came on. Soon +all was dark and silent. She could hear no other sound than that of +the raindrops falling from the branches.</p> + +<p>Although she had made up her mind to spend the night there, she +experienced a feeling of fright at being all alone in this black +forest. True, she had spent a part of the day in the same place, +running no other danger than that of being struck, but the woods in +the daytime are not like the woods at night, with the solemn silence +and the mysterious<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +shadows, which make one conjure up the vision of so many weird things.</p> + +<p>What was in the woods? she wondered. Wolves, perhaps!</p> + +<p>At this thought she became wide awake, and jumping up, she found a big +stick, which she cut to a point with her knife; then she strewed +branches and fagots all around her, piling them high. She could at +least defend herself behind her rampart.</p> + +<p>Reassured, she laid down again, and it was not long before she was +asleep.</p> + +<p>The song of a bird awoke her. She recognized at once the sweet, shrill +notes of a blackbird. Day was breaking. She began to shake, for she +was chilled to the bone. The dampness of the night had made her +clothes as wet as though she had been through a shower.</p> + +<p>She jumped to her feet and shook herself violently like a dog. She +felt that she ought to move about, but she did not want to go on her +way yet, for it was not yet light enough for her to study the sky to +see if it were going to rain again. To pass the time, and still more +with the wish to be on the move, she arranged the fagots which she had +disturbed the night before. Then she combed her hair and washed +herself in the ditch, which was full of water.</p> + +<p>When she had finished the sun had risen, and the sky gleamed blue +through the branches of the trees. There was not the slightest cloud +to be seen. She must go.</p> + +<p>Although she had darned her stockings well<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> which had worn away +through the holes in her shoes, the continual tramp, tramp, tramp, +made her little feet ache. After a time, however, she stepped out with +a regular step on the road, which had been softened by the rain, and +the rays from the beautiful sun fell upon her back and warmed her.</p> + +<p>Never had she seen such a lovely morning. The storm, which had washed +the roads and the fields, had given new life to the plants. Surely +this was a good omen. She was full of hope.</p> + +<p>Her imagination began to soar on wings. She hoped that somebody had +had a hole in their pockets and had lost some money, and that she +could find it on the road. She hoped she might find something, not a +purse full, because she would have to try to find the owner, but just +a little coin, one penny, or perhaps ten cents. She even thought that +she might find some work to do, something that could bring her in a +few cents.</p> + +<p>She needed so little to be able to live for three or four days.</p> + +<p>She trudged along with her eyes fixed on the ground, but neither a +copper nor a silver coin did she see, and neither did she meet anybody +who could give her work.</p> + +<p>Oh, for something to eat! She was famished. Again and again she had to +sit down by the wayside, she was so weak from lack of food.</p> + +<p>She wondered if she found nothing would she have to sit down by the +road and die.</p> + +<p>Finally she came to a field and saw four young<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> girls picking peas. A +peasant woman seemed to be in charge.</p> + +<p>Gathering courage, she crossed over the road and walked towards the +woman. But the woman stopped her before she could reach her.</p> + +<p>"What cher want?" she shouted.</p> + +<p>"I want to know if I can help, too," answered Perrine.</p> + +<p>"We don't want no one!"</p> + +<p>"You can give me just what you wish."</p> + +<p>"Where d'ye come from?"</p> + +<p>"From Paris."</p> + +<p>One of the girls raised her head and cast her an angry look.</p> + +<p>"The galavanter!" she cried, "she comes from Paris to try to get our +job."</p> + +<p>"I told yer we don't want nobody," said the woman again.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to do but to go on her way, which she did with a +heavy heart.</p> + +<p>"Look out! A cop's comin'!" cried one of the girls.</p> + +<p>Perrine turned her head quickly, and they all burst out laughing, +amused at the joke.</p> + +<p>She had not gone far before she had to stop. She could not see the +road for the tears which filled her eyes. What had she done to those +girls that they should be so mean to her?</p> + +<p>Evidently it was as difficult for tramps to get work as it was for +them to find pennies. She did not dare ask again for a job. She +dragged her feet<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +along, only hurrying when she was passing through +the villages so that she could escape the stares.</p> + +<p>She was almost prostrated when she reached a wood. It was mid-day and +the sun was scorching; there was not a breath of air. She was +exhausted and dripping with perspiration. Then her heart seemed to +stop and she fell to the ground, unable to move or think.</p> + +<p>A wagon coming up behind her passed by.</p> + +<p>"This heat'll kill one," shouted the driver.</p> + +<p>In a half conscious state she caught his words. They came to her like +in a dream; it was as though sentence had been passed upon her.</p> + +<p>So she was to die? She had thought so herself, but now a messenger of +Death was saying so.</p> + +<p>Well, she would die. She could keep up no longer. Her father was dead, +and her mother was dead, now she was going to die. A cruel thought +flitted through her dull brain. She wondered why she could not have +died with them rather than in a ditch like a poor animal.</p> + +<p>She tried to make a last effort to get to the wood where she could +find a spot to lie down for her last sleep, somewhere away from the +road. She managed to drag herself into the wood, and there she found a +little grassy spot where violets were growing. She laid down under a +large tree, her head on her arm, just as she did at night when she +went to sleep.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h4>THE RESCUE</h4> + +<p class="cap">SOMETHING warm passing over her face made her open her eyes. Dimly she +saw a large velvety head bending over her. In terror she tried to +throw herself on one side, but a big tongue licked her cheek and held +her to the grass. So quickly had this happened that she had not had +time to recognize the big velvety head which belonged to a donkey, but +while the great tongue continued to lick her face and hands she was +able to look up at it.</p> + +<p>Palikare! It was dear, dear Palikare! She threw her arms around her +donkey's neck and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"My darling, dear, darling Palikare," she murmured.</p> + +<p>When he heard his name he stopped licking her and lifting his head he +sent forth five or six triumphant brays of happiness. Then, as though +that was not enough to express his contentment, he let out five or six +more, but not quite so loud.</p> + +<p>Perrine then noticed that he was without a harness or a rope.</p> + +<p>While she stroked him with her hand and he bent his long ears down to +her, she heard a hoarse voice calling:<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What yer found, old chap? I'll be there in a minute. I'm comin', old boy." +<a name="Page_72pic" id="Page_72pic"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;"> +<img src="images/illus02d.jpg" width="430" height="660" +alt="SOMETHING WARM PASSING OVER HER FACE MADE HER OPEN HER EYES." +title="SOMETHING WARM PASSING OVER HER FACE MADE HER OPEN HER EYES." /> +<span class="caption">SOMETHING WARM PASSING OVER HER FACE MADE HER OPEN HER EYES.</span> +</div> + +<p>There was a quick step on the road, and Perrine saw what appeared to +be a man dressed in a smock and wearing a leather hat and with a pipe +in his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Hi, kid, what yer doin' with my donkey?" he cried, without taking the +pipe from his lip.</p> + +<p>Then Perrine saw that it was the rag woman to whom she had sold +Palikare at the Horse Market. The woman did not recognize her at +first. She stared hard at her for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Sure I've seen yer somewhere," she said at last.</p> + +<p>"It was I who sold you Palikare," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Why, sure it's you, little one, but what in Heaven's name are you +doin' here?"</p> + +<p>Perrine could not reply. She was so giddy her head whirled. She had +been sitting up, but now she was obliged to lie down again, and her +pallor and tears spoke for her.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Are you sick?" demanded La Rouquerie.</p> + +<p>Although Perrine moved her lips as though to speak, no sound came. +Again she was sinking into unconsciousness, partly from emotion, +partly from weakness.</p> + +<p>But La Rouquerie was a woman of experience; she had seen all miseries.</p> + +<p>"The kid's dying of hunger," she muttered to herself.</p> + +<p>She hurried over the road to a little truck over +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +the sides of which were spread out some dried rabbit skins. The woman +quickly opened a box and took out a slice of bread, a piece of cheese +and a bottle. She carried it back on the run.</p> + +<p>Perrine was still in the same condition.</p> + +<p>"One little minute, girlie; one little minute," she said +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>Kneeling down beside little Perrine, she put the bottle to her lips.</p> + +<p>"Take a good drink; that'll keep you up," she said.</p> + +<p>True, the good drink brought the blood back to her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Are you hungry?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," murmured Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Well, now you must eat, but gently; wait a minute."</p> + +<p>She broke off a piece of bread and cheese and offered it to her.</p> + +<p>"Eat it slowly," she said, advisedly, for already Perrine had devoured +the half of what was handed to her. "I'll eat with you, then you won't +eat so fast."</p> + +<p>Palikare had been standing quietly looking on with his big soft eyes. +When he saw La Rouquerie sit down on the grass beside Perrine, he also +knelt down beside them.</p> + +<p>"The old rogue, he wants a bite, too," said the woman.</p> + +<p>"May I give him a piece?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can give him a piece or two. When<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> we've eaten this there is +more in the cart. Give him some; he is so pleased to see you again, +good old boy. You know he <i>is</i> a good boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't he a dear?" said Perrine, softly.</p> + +<p>"Now when you've eaten that you can tell me how you come to be in +these woods pretty near starved to death. Sure it'd be a pity for you +to kick the bucket yet awhile."</p> + +<p>After she had eaten as much as was good for her, Perrine told her +story, commencing with the death of her mother. When she came to the +scene she had had with the baker woman at St. Denis, the woman took +her pipe from her mouth and called the baker woman some very bad +names.</p> + +<p>"She's a thief, a thief!" she cried. "I've never given bad money to no +one, 'cause I never take any from nobody. Be easy! She'll give that +back to me next time I pass by her shop, or I'll put the whole +neighborhood against her. I've friends at St. Denis, and we'll set her +store on fire if she don't give it up!"</p> + +<p>Perrine finished her story.</p> + +<p>"You was just about goin' to die," said La Rouquerie; "what was the +feelin' like?"</p> + +<p>"At first I felt very sad," said Perrine, "and I think I must have +cried like one cries in the night when one is suffocating; then I +dreamed of Heaven and of the good food I should have there. Mama, who +was waiting for me, had made me some milk chocolate; I could smell +it."</p> + +<p>"It's funny that this heat wave, which was going<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> to kill you, really +was the cause of yer bein' saved. If it hadn't been for this darned +heat I never should have stopped to let that donkey rest in this wood, +and then he wouldn't have found yer. What cher goin' to do now?"</p> + +<p>"Go on my way."</p> + +<p>"And tomorrow? What yer got to eat? One's got to be young like you to +take such a trip as this."</p> + +<p>"But what could I do?"</p> + +<p>La Rouquerie gravely took two or three puffs at her pipe. She was +thoughtful for a moment; then she said:</p> + +<p>"See here, I'm goin' as far as Creil, no farther. I'm buyin' odds and +ends in the villages as I go along. It's on the way to Chantilly, so +you come along with me. Now yell out a bit if you've got the strength: +'Rabbit skins! Rags and bones to sell!'"</p> + +<p>Perrine straightened herself and cried out as she was told.</p> + +<p>"That's fine! You've got a good, clear voice. As I've got a sore +throat, you can do the calling out for me, so like that you'll earn +your grub. When we get to Creil I know a farmer there who goes as far +as Amiens to get eggs and things. I'll ask him to take you in his +cart. When you get to Amiens you can take the train to where yer +relations hang out."</p> + +<p>"But what with? How can I take a train?"</p> + +<p>"I'll advance you the five francs that I'm goin' to get back from that +baker. I'll get it! So I'll give yer five francs for your fare." +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h4>MARAUCOURT AT LAST</h4> + +<p class="cap">THINGS came to pass as La Rouquerie had arranged. For eight days +Perrine ran through the streets of the villages and towns crying out: +"Rabbit skins! Rags! Bones!"</p> + +<p>"You've got a voice that would make yer famous for this here +business," said La Rouquerie admiringly, as Perrine's clear treble was +heard in the streets. "If yer'd stay with me you'd be doin' me a +service and yer wouldn't be unhappy. You'd make a livin'. Is it a go?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, but it's not possible," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>Finding that the reasons she advanced were not sufficient to induce +Perrine to stay with her, La Rouquerie put forth another:</p> + +<p>"And yer wouldn't have to leave Palikare."</p> + +<p>This was a great grief, but Perrine had made up her mind.</p> + +<p>"I must go to my relations; I really must," she said.</p> + +<p>"Did your relatives save yer life, like that there donkey?" insisted +La Rouquerie.</p> + +<p>"But I promised my mother."</p> + +<p>"Go, then, but you see one fine day you'll be sorry yer didn't take +what I offered yer p'raps."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are very kind and I shall always remember you."</p> + +<p>When they reached Creil, La Rouquerie hunted up her friend, the +farmer, and asked him to give Perrine a lift in his cart as far as +Amiens. He was quite willing, and for one whole day Perrine enjoyed +the comfort of lying stretched out on the straw, behind two good +trotting horses. At Essentaux she slept in a barn.</p> + +<p>The next day was Sunday, and she was up bright and early and quickly +made her way to the railway station. Handing her five francs to the +ticket seller she asked for a ticket to Picquigny. This time she had +the satisfaction of seeing that her five francs was accepted. She +received her ticket and seventy-five cents in change.</p> + +<p>It was 12 o'clock when the train pulled in at the station at +Picquigny. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, the air was soft and +warm, far different from the scorching heat which had prostrated her +in the woods, and she ... how unlike she was from that miserable +little girl who had fallen by the wayside. And she was clean, too. +During the days she had spent with La Rouquerie she had been able to +mend her waist and her skirt, and had washed her linen and shined her +shoes. Her past experience was a lesson: she must never give up hope +at the darkest moment; she must always remember that there was a +silver cloud, if she would only persevere.</p> + +<p>She had a long walk after she got out of the train<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> at Picquigny. But +she walked along lightly past the meadows bordered with poplars and +limes, past the river where the villagers in their Sunday clothes were +fishing, past the windmills which, despite the fact that the day was +calm, were slowly moving round, blown by the breeze from the sea which +could be felt even there.</p> + +<p>She walked through the pretty village of St. Pipoy, with its red roofs +and quaint church, and over the railway tracks which unites the towns +wherein Vulfran Paindavoine has his factories, and which joins the +main line to Boulogne.</p> + +<p>As Perrine passed the pretty church the people were coming out from +mass. Listening to them as they talked in groups she heard again the +sing-song manner of talking that her father had often imitated so as +to amuse her.</p> + +<p>On the country road she saw a young girl walking slowly ahead of her +carrying a very heavy basket on her arm.</p> + +<p>"Is this the way to Maraucourt?" Perrine asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this road ... quite straight."</p> + +<p>"Quite straight," said Perrine laughing, "it isn't so very straight +after all."</p> + +<p>"If you are going to Maraucourt, I'm going there too, and we could go +together," suggested the girl.</p> + +<p>"I will if you'll let me help you carry your basket," said Perrine +with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I won't say no to that, for it's sure heavy!"</p> + +<p>The girl put her basket on the ground and breathed a sigh of relief. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You don't belong to Maraucourt, do you?" asked the girl.</p> + +<p>"No, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I do."</p> + +<p>"Do you work in the factories?"</p> + +<p>"Should say so, everybody does here."</p> + +<p>"How much do they pay?"</p> + +<p>"Ten sous."</p> + +<p>"And is it hard work?"</p> + +<p>"Not very; but you have to have a sharp eye and not waste time. Do you +want to get in there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if they'd have me."</p> + +<p>"Should say they would have you; they take anybody. If they didn't how +do you think they'd get the seven thousand hands they've got. Just be +there tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock at the gate. We must hurry now or +I'll be late. Come on."</p> + +<p>She took the handle of the basket on one side and Perrine took it on +the other side and they set out on the road, keeping in step down the +middle.</p> + +<p>Here was an opportunity for Perrine to learn what held interest for +her. It was too good for her not to seize it. But she was afraid to +question this girl openly. She must put the questions she wanted +answered in a way that would not arouse her suspicions.</p> + +<p>"Were you born at Maraucourt?" she began.</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'm a native and my mother was too, my father came from +Picquigny."</p> + +<p>"Have you lost them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I live with my grandmother who keeps a<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +grocer store and restaurant. She's Madame Françoise."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Madame Françoise."</p> + +<p>"What! do you know her?"</p> + +<p>"No, I just said, 'Ah, Madame Françoise.'"</p> + +<p>"She's known everywhere for her 'eats' and 'cause she was nurse to +Monsieur Edmond Paindavoine. Whenever the men want to ask the boss, +Monsieur Vulfran Paindavoine, for anything, they get my grandmother to +ask for them."</p> + +<p>"Does she always get what they want?"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes yes, sometimes no; Monsieur Vulfran ain't always obliging."</p> + +<p>"If your grandmother was nurse to Monsieur Edmond why doesn't she ask +him?"</p> + +<p>"M. Edmond? he's the boss' son, and he went away from here before I +was born, no one's seen him since. He had a quarrel with his father, +and his father sent him to India to buy jute. The boss has made his +fortune out of jute. He's rich, as rich as...."</p> + +<p>She could not think how rich M. Vulfran was so she said abruptly: "Now +shall we change arms?"</p> + +<p>"If you like. What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Rosalie. What's yours?"</p> + +<p>Perrine did not want to give her real name, so she chanced on one.</p> + +<p>"Aurelie," she said.</p> + +<p>They rested for a while, then went on again at their regular step. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You say that the son had a quarrel with his father," said Perrine, +"then went away?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the old gentleman got madder still with him 'cause he +married a Hindu girl, and a marriage like that doesn't count. His +father wanted him to marry a young lady who came of a very fine +family, the best in Picardy. It was because he wanted his son to marry +this other girl that he built the beautiful mansion he's got. It cost +millions and millions of francs. But M. Edmond wouldn't part with the +wife he's got over there to take up with the young lady here, so the +quarrel got worse and worse, and now they don't even know if the son +is dead or alive. They haven't had news of him for years, so they say. +Monsieur Vulfran doesn't speak to anyone about it, neither do the two +nephews."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he has nephews?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Monsieur Theodore Paindavoine, his brother's son, and Monsieur +Casimir Bretoneux, his sister's son, who help him in the business. If +M. Edmond doesn't come back the fortune and all the factories will go +to his two nephews."</p> + +<p>"Oh, really!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and that'll be a sad thing, sad for the whole town. Them nephews +ain't no good for the business ... and so many people have to get +their living from it. Sure, it'll be a sad day when they get it, and +they will if poor M. Edmond doesn't come back. On Sundays, when I +serve the meals, I hear all sorts of things."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"About his nephews?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, about them two and others also. But it's none of our business; +let's talk of something else."</p> + +<p>"Yes, why not?"</p> + +<p>As Perrine did not want to appear too inquisitive, she walked on +silently, but Rosalie's tongue could not be still for very long.</p> + +<p>"Did you come along with your parents to Maraucourt?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I have no parents."</p> + +<p>"No father, no mother!"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"You're like me, but I've got a grandmother who's very good, and she'd +be still better if it wasn't for my uncles and aunts; she has to +please them. If it wasn't for them I should not have to work in the +factories; I should stay at home and help in the store, but +grandmother can't do as she wants always. So you're all alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, all alone."</p> + +<p>"Was it your own idea to leave Paris and come to Maraucourt?"</p> + +<p>"I was told that I might find work at Maraucourt, so instead of going +further on to some relations, I stopped here. If you don't know your +relations, and they don't know you, you're not sure if you're going to +get a welcome."</p> + +<p>"That's true. If there are kind ones, there are some mighty unkind +ones in this world."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is so," Perrine said, nodding her pretty head. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, don't worry; you'll find work in the factories. Ten sous a day +is not much, but it's something, and you can get as much as twenty-two +sous. I'm going to ask you a question; you can answer or not, as you +like. Have you got any money?"</p> + +<p>"A little."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you'd like to lodge at my grandmother's, that'll cost you +twenty-eight sous a week, pay in advance."</p> + +<p>"I can pay twenty-eight sous."</p> + +<p>"Now, I don't promise you a fine room all to yourself at that price; +there'll be six in the same room, but you'll have a bed, some sheets +and a coverlet. Everybody ain't got that."</p> + +<p>"I'd like it and thank you very much."</p> + +<p>"My grandmother don't only take in lodgers who can only pay +twenty-eight sous. We've got some very fine rooms in our house. Our +boarders are employed at the factories. There's Monsieur Fabry, the +engineer of the building; Monsieur Mombleux, the head clerk, and Mr. +Bendit, who has charge of the foreign correspondence. If you ever +speak to him always call him Mr. Benndite. He's an Englishman, and he +gets mad if you pronounce his name 'Bendit.' He thinks that one wants +to insult him, just as though one was calling him 'Thief'!"</p> + +<p>"I won't forget; besides, I know English."</p> + +<p>"You know English! You!"</p> + +<p>"My mother was English."</p> + +<p>"So, so! Well, that'll be fine for Mr. Bendit, but he'd be more +pleased if you knew every language.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> His great stunt on Sunday is to +read prayers that are printed in twenty-five languages. When he's gone +through them once, he goes over them again and again. Every Sunday he +does the same thing. All the same, he's a very fine man." +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h4>GRANDFATHER VULFRAN</h4> + +<p class="cap">THROUGH the great trees which framed the road on either side, Perrine +could see beyond the hill the tops of some high chimneys and +buildings.</p> + +<p>"We're coming to Maraucourt," said Rosalie; "you'll see Monsieur +Paindavoine's mansion soon, then the factories. We shan't see the +village until we get down the other side of the hill. Over by the +river there's the church and cemetery."</p> + +<p>Then, as they neared the spot where the poplars were swaying, there +came into view a beautiful chateau towering grandly above the trees, +with its façade of stone gabled roofs and chimneys standing out +magnificently in a park planted with trees and shrubs which stretched +out as far as the meadows.</p> + +<p>Perrine stopped short in amazement, whilst Rosalie continue to step +out. This made them jolt the basket, whereupon Rosalie plumped it down +on the ground and stretched herself.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you think that fine, don't you?" said Rosalie, following +Perrine's glance.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's beautiful," said Perrine, softly.</p> + +<p>"Well, old Monsieur Vulfran lives there all alone. He's got a dozen +servants to wait on him, without<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +counting the gardeners and stablemen who live in those quarters over there +at the end of the park. That place over there is the electric power house +for lighting up the chateau. Fine, ain't it? And you should see the inside! +There's gold everywhere, and velvets, and such carpets! Them nephews want +to live there with him, but he won't have 'em. He even eats his meals all +alone."</p> + +<p>They took up the basket and went on again. Soon they saw a general +view of the works. But to Perrine's eyes there seemed only a confusion +of buildings, some old, some new, just a great gray mass with big, +tall chimneys everywhere. Then they came to the first houses of the +village, with apple trees and pear trees growing in the gardens. Here +was the village of which her father had spoken so often.</p> + +<p>What struck her most was the number of people she saw. Groups of men, +women and children dressed up in their Sunday clothes stood chatting +before the houses or sat in the low rooms, the windows of which were +thrown wide open. A mass of people, people everywhere. In the +low-ceiling rooms, where those from outside could see all that was +passing within, some were drinking bright colored drinks, others had +jugs of cider, while others had on the tables before them black coffee +or whisky. And what a tapping of glasses and voices raised in angry +dispute!</p> + +<p>"What a lot of people there seem to be drinking," said Perrine. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's because it's Sunday. They got two weeks' pay yesterday. They +can't always drink like this; you'll see."</p> + +<p>What was characteristic of most of the houses was that nearly all, +although old and badly built of brick or wood, affected an air of +coquetry, at least in the painting that embellished the doors and +windows. This attracted the eye like a sign. And in truth it was a +sign, for in default of other preparations, the bright paint gave a +promise of cleanliness which a glance at the inside of the place +belied at once.</p> + +<p>"We've arrived," said Rosalie, pointing with her free hand to a small +red brick house which stood a little way from the road, behind a +ragged hedge. Adjoining the house was a store where general provisions +were sold, and also liquor. The floors above were rented to the best +lodgers, and behind the house was a building which was rented out to +the factory hands. A little gate in the hedge led to a small garden +planted with apple trees and to a gravel walk leading to the house.</p> + +<p>As soon as Rosalie and Perrine entered the yard, a woman, still young, +called out from the doorway: "Hurry up, you slow coach! Say, you take +a time to go to Picquigny, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"That's my Aunt Zenobie," whispered Rosalie; "she's none too nice."</p> + +<p>"What yer whispering there?" yelled the disagreeable woman.</p> + +<p>"I said that if somebody hadn't been there to help +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +carry this basket I wouldn't be here by now," retorted Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"You'd better hold your tongue!"</p> + +<p>These words were uttered in such a shrill tone that they brought a +tall old woman to the door.</p> + +<p>"Who are you going on at now, Zenobie?" she asked, calmly.</p> + +<p>"She's mad 'cause I'm late, grandmother; but the basket's awful +heavy," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"There, there!" said the grandmother, placidly; "put it down and go +and get your supper; you'll find it kept warm on the stove."</p> + +<p>"You wait for me here in the yard," said Rosalie to Perrine; "I'll be +out in a minute and we'll have supper together. You go and buy your +bread. You'll find the baker in the third house on the left. Hurry +up."</p> + +<p>When Perrine returned she found Rosalie seated at a table under a big +apple tree. On the table were two plates full of meat stew and +potatoes.</p> + +<p>"Sit down and share my stew," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"But ..." hesitated Perrine.</p> + +<p>"You don't like to take it; you can. I asked my grandmother, and it's +all right."</p> + +<p>In that case Perrine thought that she should accept this hospitality, +so she sat down at the table opposite her new friend.</p> + +<p>"And it's all arranged about your lodging here," said Rosalie, with +her mouth full of stew. "You've only to give your twenty-eight sous to +grandmother. That's where you'll be."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rosalie pointed to a house a part of which could be seen at the end of +the yard; the rest of it was hidden by the brick house. It looked such +a dilapidated old place that one wondered how it still held together.</p> + +<p>"My grandmother lived there before she built this house," explained +Rosalie. "She did it with the money that she got when she was nurse +for Monsieur Edmond. You won't be comfortable down there as you would +in this house, but factory hands can't live like rich people, can +they?"</p> + +<p>Perrine agreed that they could not.</p> + +<p>At another table, standing a little distance from theirs, a man about +forty years of age, grave, stiff, wearing a coat buttoned up and a +high hat, was reading a small book with great attention.</p> + +<p>"That's Mr. Bendit; he's reading his Bible," whispered Rosalie.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly, with no respect for the gentleman's occupation, she +said: "Monsieur Bendit, here's a girl who speaks English."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said, without raising his eyes from his Bible.</p> + +<p>Two minutes elapsed before he lifted his eyes and turned them to +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Are you an English girl?" he asked in English.</p> + +<p>"No, but my mother was," replied Perrine in the same language.</p> + +<p>Without another word he went on with his reading.</p> + +<p>They were just finishing their supper when a<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> carriage coming along +the road stopped at the gate.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Monsieur Vulfran in his carriage!" cried Rosalie, getting +up from her seat and running to the gate.</p> + +<p>Perrine did not dare leave her place, but she looked towards the road.</p> + +<p>Two people were in the buggy. A young man was driving for an old man +with white hair, who, although seated, seemed to be very tall. It was +M. Paindavoine.</p> + +<p>Rosalie went up to the buggy.</p> + +<p>"Here is someone," said the young man, who was about to get out.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" demanded M. Paindavoine.</p> + +<p>It was Rosalie who replied to this question.</p> + +<p>"It's Rosalie, monsieur," she said.</p> + +<p>"Tell your grandmother to come and speak to me," said the gentleman.</p> + +<p>Rosalie ran to the house and came hurrying back with her grandmother.</p> + +<p>"Good day, Monsieur Vulfran," said the old woman.</p> + +<p>"Good day, Françoise."</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you, sir; I'm at your service."</p> + +<p>"I've come about your brother Omer. I've just come from his place. His +drunken wife was the only person there and she could not understand +anything."</p> + +<p>"Omer's gone to Amiens; he comes back tonight."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell him that I have heard that he has rented his hall to some +rascals to hold a public meeting and ... I don't wish that meeting to +take place."</p> + +<p>"But if they've rented it, sir?"</p> + +<p>"He can compromise. If he doesn't, the very next day I'll put him out. +That's one of the conditions that I made. I'll do what I say. I don't +want any meeting of that sort here."</p> + +<p>"There have been some at Flexelles."</p> + +<p>"Flexelles is not Maraucourt. I do not want the people of my village +to become like those at Flexelles. It's my duty to guard against that. +You understand? Tell Omer what I say. Good day, Françoise."</p> + +<p>"Good day, Monsieur Vulfran."</p> + +<p>He fumbled in his vest pocket.</p> + +<p>"Where is Rosalie?"</p> + +<p>"Here I am, Monsieur Vulfran."</p> + +<p>He held out a ten cent piece.</p> + +<p>"This is for you," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, Monsieur Vulfran," said Rosalie, taking the money with +a smile.</p> + +<p>The buggy went off.</p> + +<p>Perrine had not lost a word of what had been said, but what impressed +her more than the actual words was the tone of authority in which they +had been spoken. "I don't wish that meeting to take place." She had +never heard anyone speak like that before. The tone alone bespoke how +firm was the will, but the old gentleman's uncertain, hesitating +gestures did not seem to accord with his words.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rosalie returned to her seat, delighted.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Paindavoine gave me ten cents," she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw him," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Let's hope Aunt Zenobie won't know, or she'll take it to keep it for +me."</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Paindavoine did not seem as though he knew you," said +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Not know me? Why, he's my godfather!" exclaimed Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"But he said 'Where is Rosalie?' when you were standing quite near +him."</p> + +<p>"That's because he's blind," answered Rosalie, placidly.</p> + +<p>"Blind!" cried Perrine.</p> + +<p>She repeated the word quite softly to herself two or three times.</p> + +<p>"Has he been blind long?" she asked, in the same awed voice.</p> + +<p>"For a long time his sight was failing," replied Rosalie, "but no one +paid any attention; they thought that he was fretting over his son +being away. Then he got pneumonia, and that left him with a bad cough, +and then one day he couldn't see to read, then he went quite blind. +Think what it would have meant to the town if he had been obliged to +give up his factories! But no; he wasn't going to give them up; not +he! He goes to business just the same as though he had his sight. +Those who counted on being the master there, 'cause he fell ill have +been put in their places." She lowered her<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> voice. "His nephews and +Talouel; they're the ones I mean."</p> + +<p>Aunt Zenobie came to the door.</p> + +<p>"Say, Rosalie, have you finished, you young loafer?" she called.</p> + +<p>"I've only just this minute got through," answered Rosalie, defiantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are some customers to wait on ... come on."</p> + +<p>"I'll have to go," said Rosalie, regretfully. "Sorry I can't stay with +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't mind me," said little Perrine, politely.</p> + +<p>"See you tonight."</p> + +<p>With a slow, reluctant step Rosalie got up and dragged herself to the +house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h4>ONE SLEEPLESS NIGHT</h4> + +<p class="cap">AFTER her new friend had left, Perrine would like to have still sat at +the table as though she were in her own place, but it was precisely +because she was not in the place where she belonged that she felt she +could not. She had learned that the little garden was reserved for the +boarders and that the factory hands were not privileged to sit there. +She could not see any seats near the old tumble-down house where she +was to lodge, so she left the table and sauntered down the village +street.</p> + +<p>Although she went at a slow step, she had soon walked down all the +streets, and as everyone stared at her, being a stranger, this had +prevented her from stopping when she had wanted to.</p> + +<p>On the top of the hill opposite the factories she had noticed a wood. +Perhaps she would be alone there and could sit down without anyone +paying attention to her.</p> + +<p>She climbed the hill, then stretched herself out on the grass and +looked down over the village ... her father's birthplace, which he had +described so often to her mother and herself.</p> + +<p>She had arrived at Maraucourt! This name, which she had repeated so +often since she had trod<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +on French soil, the name she had seen on the +big vans standing outside the Gates of Paris. This was not a country +of dreams. She was in Maraucourt; before her she could see the vast +works which belonged to her grandfather. He had made his fortune here, +bit by bit, sou by sou, until now he was worth millions.</p> + +<p>Her eyes wandered from the great chimneys to the railway tracks, where +all was quiet on this Sabbath day, to the winding streets and the +quaint houses with their tiled or thatched roofs. Amongst the very old +houses there was one which seemed more pretentious than the others. It +stood in a large garden in which there were great trees and a terrace, +and at the remote corner of the garden a wash-house.</p> + +<p>That house had been described to her so many times, she recognized it. +It was the one in which her grandfather had lived before he had built +the beautiful chateau. How many hours her father, when a boy, had +spent in that wash-house on washing days, listening to the +washerwomen's chatter and to the stories they told, quaint old +legends. He had remembered them all those years, and later on had told +them to his little daughter. There was the "Fairy of the Cascade", +"The Whirling Dwarf", and lots of others. She remembered them all, and +her dead father had listened to the old women telling them at that +very spot down there by the river.</p> + +<p>The sun was in her eyes now, so she changed her place. She found +another grassy nook and sat<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> down again, very +thoughtful. She was thinking of her future, poor little girl.</p> + +<p>She was sure of getting work now, and bread and a place in which to +sleep, but that was not all. How would she ever be able to realize her +dead mother's hopes? She trembled; it all seemed so difficult; but at +least she had accomplished one great thing in having reached +Maraucourt.</p> + +<p>She must never despair, never give up hope, and now that she had a +roof over her head and ten sous a day, although not much, it was far +better now for her than a few days ago, when she had been penniless, +famished, and had had no place where to lay her head.</p> + +<p>She thought it would be wise, as she was beginning a new life on the +morrow, that she should make a plan of what she should and what she +should not say. But she was so ignorant of everything, and she soon +realized that this was a task beyond her. If her mother had reached +Maraucourt she would have known just what to have done. But she, poor +little girl, had had no experience; she had not the wisdom nor the +intelligence of a grown-up person; she was but a child, and alone.</p> + +<p>This thought and the memory of her mother brought tears to her eyes. +She began to cry unrestrainedly.</p> + +<p>"Mother, dear mother," she sobbed.</p> + +<p>Then her mother's last words came to her: "I see ... I know that you +will be happy!"</p> + +<p>Her mother's words might come true. Those who<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> are at Death's door, +their souls hovering between Heaven and earth, may have sometimes a +divine knowledge of things which are not revealed to the living.</p> + +<p>This burst of emotion, instead of making her more despondent, did her +good. After she had wiped her tears away she was more hopeful, and it +seemed to her that the light evening breeze which fanned her cheek +from time to time brought her a kiss from her mother, touching her wet +cheeks and whispering to her her last words: "I see ... I know you +will be happy."</p> + +<p>And why should it not be so? Why should her mother not be near her, +leaning over her at this moment like a guardian angel? For a long time +she sat deep in thought. Her beautiful little face was very grave. She +wondered, would everything come out all right for her in the end?</p> + +<p>Then mechanically her eye fell on a large cluster of marguerites. She +got up quickly and picked a few, closing her eyes so as not to choose.</p> + +<p>She came back to her place and, taking up one with a hand that shook, +she commenced to pick off the petals, one at a time, saying: "I shall +succeed; a little; a lot; completely; not at all." She repeated this +very carefully until there were only a few petals left on the last +flower.</p> + +<p>How many, she did not want to count, for their number would have told +her the answer. So, with a heart beating rapidly, she quickly pulled +off the last petals.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall succeed; a little; a lot; completely...."</p> + +<p>At the same moment a warm breeze passed over her hair, over her lips. +It was surely her mother's reply in a kiss, the tenderest that she had +ever given her.</p> + +<p>The night fell. She decided to go. Already down the straight road as +far as the river white vapors were rising, floating lightly around the +great trees. Here and there little lights from behind the windows of +the houses pierced the gathering darkness, and vague sounds broke the +silence of the peaceful Sabbath evening.</p> + +<p>There was no need for her to stay out late now, for she had a roof to +cover her and a bed to sleep in; besides, as she was to get up early +the next day to go to work, it would be better to go to bed early.</p> + +<p>As she walked through the village she recognized that the noises that +she had heard came from the cabarets. They were full. Men and women +were seated at the tables drinking. From the open door the odor of +coffee, hot alcohol and tobacco filled the street as though it were a +vast sink.</p> + +<p>She passed one cabaret after another. There were so many that to every +three houses there was at least one in which liquor was sold. On her +tramps along the high roads and through the various towns she had seen +many drinking places, but nowhere had she heard such words, so clear +and shrill, as those which came confusedly from the low rooms.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<p>When she reached Mother Françoise's garden she saw Mr. Bendit still +reading. Before him was a lighted candle, a piece of newspaper +protecting the light, around which the moths and mosquitoes flew. But +he paid no attention to them, so absorbed was he in his reading.</p> + +<p>Yet, as she was passing him, he raised his head and recognized her. +For the pleasure of speaking in his own language, he spoke to her in +English.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll have a good night's rest," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she replied. "Good night, sir."</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" he continued in English.</p> + +<p>"I took a walk as far as the woods," she replied in the same language.</p> + +<p>"All alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I do not know anyone here."</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you stay in and read. There is nothing better to do on +Sunday than read."</p> + +<p>"I have no books."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Well, I'll lend you. Good night."</p> + +<p>"Good night, sir."</p> + +<p>Rosalie was seated in the doorway taking the fresh air.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to go to bed now?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'd like to," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you up there then, but first you'll have to arrange with +grandmother. Go to the café; she's there."</p> + +<p>The matter, having been arranged by Rosalie and her grandmother +beforehand, was quickly settled.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> Perrine laid her twenty-eight sous +on the table and two sous extra for lighting for the week.</p> + +<p>"So you are going to stay in our village, little one?" asked Mother +Françoise, with a kindly, placid air.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it is possible."</p> + +<p>"You can do it if you'll work."</p> + +<p>"That is all I ask," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's all right. You won't stop at ten sous; you'll soon get a +franc or perhaps two, then later on you'll marry a good workingman +who'll earn three. Between you, that'll be five francs a day. With +that you're rich ... if you don't drink; but one mustn't drink. It's a +good thing that M. Vulfran can give employment to the whole county. +There is the land, to be sure, but tilling ground can't provide a +living to all who have to be fed."</p> + +<p>Whilst the old nurse babbled this advice with the importance and the +authority of a woman accustomed to having her word respected, Rosalie +was getting some linen from a closet, and Perrine, who, while +listening, had been looking at her, saw that the sheets were made of a +thick yellow canvas. It was so long since she had slept in sheets that +she ought to think herself fortunate to get even these, hard though +they were. La Rouquerie on her tramps had never spent money for a bed, +and a long time ago the sheets they had in the wagon, with the +exception of those kept for her mother, had been sold or worn to rags.</p> + +<p>She went with Rosalie across the yard where<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> about twenty men, women +and children were seated on a clump of wood or standing about, talking +and smoking, waiting for the hour to retire. How could all these +people live in the old house, which seemed far from large?</p> + +<p>At the sight of the attic, after Rosalie had lit a candle stuck behind +a wire trellis, Perrine understood. In a space of six yards long and a +little more than three wide, six beds were placed along the length of +the walls, and the passage between the beds was only one yard wide. +Six people, then, had to spend the night in a place where there was +scarcely room for two. Although a little window opened on the yard +opposite the door, there was a rank, sharp odor which made Perrine +gasp. But she said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Rosalie, "you think it's a bit small, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is, rather," was all she said.</p> + +<p>"Four sous a night is not one hundred sous, you know," remarked +Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"That is true," answered Perrine, with a smothered sigh.</p> + +<p>After all, it was better for her to have a place in this tiny room +than be out in the woods and fields. If she had been able to endure +the odor in Grain-of-Salt's shack, she would probably be able to bear +it here.</p> + +<p>"There's your bed," said Rosalie, pointing to one placed near the +window.</p> + +<p>What she called a bed was a straw mattress<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> placed on four feet and +held together by two boards. Instead of a pillow there was a sack.</p> + +<p>"You know," said Rosalie, "this is fresh straw; they never give old +straw to anyone to sleep on. In the hotels they do that sort of thing, +but we don't here."</p> + +<p>Although there were too many beds in the little room, there was not +one chair.</p> + +<p>"There are some nails on the walls," said Rosalie, in reply to +Perrine's questioning look; "you can hang your clothes up there."</p> + +<p>There were also some boxes and baskets under the bed. If the lodgers +had any underwear they could make use of these, but as Perrine had +only what she was wearing, the nail at the head of the bed was +sufficient.</p> + +<p>"They're all honest here," remarked Rosalie, "and if La Noyelle talks +in the night it's 'cause she's been drinking; she's a chatterbox. +Tomorrow you get up with the others. I'll tell you where you have to +go to wash. Good night."</p> + +<p>"Good night, and thank you," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>She hurriedly undressed, thankful that she was alone and would not +have to submit to the inquisitive regards of the other occupants of +the room. But when she was between the sheets she did not feel so +comfortable as she had hoped, for they were very rough and hard. But +then the ground had seemed very hard the first time she had slept on +it, and she had quickly grown accustomed to it.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the door was opened and<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> a young girl about +fifteen came in and commenced to get undressed. From time to time she +glanced at Perrine, but without saying a word. As she was in her +Sunday clothes, her disrobing took longer than usual, for she had to +put away her best dress in a small box and hang her working clothes on +the nail for the next day.</p> + +<p>A second girl came in, then a third, then a fourth. There was a babble +of tongues, all talking at the same time, each relating what had +happened during the day. In the narrow space between the beds they +pulled out and pushed back their boxes or baskets, and with each +effort came an outburst of impatience and furious upbraidings against +the landlady.</p> + +<p>"What a hole!"</p> + +<p>"She'll be putting another bed in here soon."</p> + +<p>"Sure! But I won't stay!"</p> + +<p>"Where would yer go? It ain't no better nowhere else."</p> + +<p>The complaining, mixed with a desultory chatter, continued. At length, +however, when the two who had first arrived were in bed, a little +order was established. Soon all the beds were occupied but one.</p> + +<p>But even then the conversation did not cease. They had discussed the +doings of the day just passed, so now they went on to the next day, to +the work at the factories, the quarrels, the doings of the heads of +the concern—M. Vulfran Paindavoine and his nephews, whom they called +"the kids," and<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> the foreman, Talouel. +They spoke of this man by name only once, but the names they called him +bespoke better than words what they thought of him.</p> + +<p>Perrine experienced a strange contradictory feeling which surprised +her. She wanted to hear everything, for this information might be of +great importance to her, yet on the other hand she felt embarrassed, +almost ashamed, to listen to such talk.</p> + +<p>Most of the talk was rather vague to Perrine, not knowing the persons +to whom it applied, but she soon gathered that "Skinny", "Judas", and +"Sneak" were all one and the same man, and that man was Talouel, the +foreman. The factory hands evidently considered him a bully; they all +hated him, yet feared him.</p> + +<p>"Let's go to sleep," at last said one.</p> + +<p>"Yes, why not?"</p> + +<p>"La Noyelle hasn't come in yet."</p> + +<p>"I saw her outside when I came in."</p> + +<p>"How was she?"</p> + +<p>"Full. She couldn't stand up."</p> + +<p>"Ugh! d'ye think she can get upstairs?"</p> + +<p>"Not sure about that."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we lock the door?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what a row she'd make!"</p> + +<p>"Like last Sunday; maybe worse."</p> + +<p>They groaned. At this moment the sound of heavy shambling footsteps +was heard on the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Here she is."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>The steps stopped, then there was a fall, followed by a moan.</p> + +<p>"She's fallen down!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose she can't get up?"</p> + +<p>"She'd sleep as well on the stairs as here."</p> + +<p>"And we'd sleep better."</p> + +<p>The moaning continued, interrupted by calls for help.</p> + +<p>"Come, Laide," called out a thick voice; "give us a hand, my child."</p> + +<p>But Laide did not move. After a time the calls ceased.</p> + +<p>"She's gone to sleep. That's luck."</p> + +<p>But the drunken girl had not gone to sleep at all; on the contrary, +she was using every effort to get up the stairs again.</p> + +<p>"Laide, come and give me a hand, child. Laide, Laide," she cried.</p> + +<p>She evidently made no progress, for the calls still came from the +bottom of the stairs, and became more and more persistent. Finally she +began to cry.</p> + +<p>"Little Laide, little Laide, come to me," she wailed. "Oh! oh! the +stairs are slipping; where am I?"</p> + +<p>A burst of laughter came from each bed.</p> + +<p>"It's cause yer ain't come in yet, Laide; that's why yer don't come. +I'll go and find yer."</p> + +<p>"Now she's gone and we'll have some peace," said one.</p> + +<p>"No, she'll go to look for Laide and won't find<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> her, and it'll all +begin over again. Well never get to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Go and give her a hand, Laide," advised one.</p> + +<p>"Go yerself," retorted Laide.</p> + +<p>"But she wants you."</p> + +<p>Laide decided to go, and slipping on her skirt, she went down the +stairs.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my child, my child," cried La Noyelle, brokenly, when she caught +sight of her.</p> + +<p>The joy of seeing Laide drove all thoughts of getting upstairs safely +away.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, little one, and I'll treat you to a glass; come on," +urged the drunken creature.</p> + +<p>But Laide would not be tempted.</p> + +<p>"No, come on to bed," she said.</p> + +<p>The woman continued to insist.</p> + +<p>They argued for a long time, La Noyelle repeating the words, "a little +glass."</p> + +<p>"I want to go to sleep," said one of the girls in bed. "How long is +this going to keep up? And we got to be up early tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lord! and it's like this every Sunday," sighed another.</p> + +<p>And little Perrine had thought that if she only had a roof over her +head she would be able to sleep in peace! The open fields, with their +dark shadows and the chances of bad weather, was far better than this +crowded room, reeking with odors that were almost suffocating her. She +wondered if she would be able to pass the night in this dreadful room.</p> + +<p>The argument was still going on at the foot of<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> the stairs. La +Noyelle's voice could be heard repeating "a little glass."</p> + +<p>"I'm goin' to help Laide," said one, "or this'll last till tomorrow." +The woman got up and went down the narrow stairs. Then came the sound +of angry voices, heavy footsteps and blows. The people on the ground +floor came out to see what was the matter, and finally everyone in the +house was awake.</p> + +<p>At last La Noyelle was dragged into the room, crying out in despair.</p> + +<p>"What have I done to you that you should be so unkind to me?"</p> + +<p>Ignoring her complaints, they undressed her and put her into bed, but +even then she did not sleep, but continued to moan and cry.</p> + +<p>"What have I done to you girls that you should treat me so badly. I'm +very unhappy, and I'm thirsty."</p> + +<p>She continued to complain until everyone was so exasperated that they +one and all shouted out in anger.</p> + +<p>However, she went on all the same. She carried on a conversation with +an imaginary person till the occupants of the room were driven to +distraction. Now and again her voice dropped as though she were going +off to sleep, then suddenly she cried out in a shriller voice, and +those who had dropped off into a slumber awoke with a start and +frightened her badly, but despite their anger she would not stop.</p> + +<p>Perrine wondered if it really was to be like that<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> every Sunday. How +could they put up with her? Was there no place in Maraucourt where one +could sleep peacefully?</p> + +<p>It was not alone the noise that disturbed her, but the air was now so +stifling that she could scarcely breathe.</p> + +<p>At last La Noyelle was quiet, or rather it was only a prolonged snore +that came from her lips.</p> + +<p>But although all was silent Perrine could not sleep. She was +oppressed. It seemed as though a hammer was beating on her forehead, +and she was perspiring from head to foot.</p> + +<p>It was not to be wondered at. She was suffocating for want of air; and +if the other girls in the room were not stifled like her, it was +because they were accustomed to this atmosphere, which to one who was +in the habit of sleeping in the open air was unbearable.</p> + +<p>But she thought that if they could endure it she should. But +unfortunately one does not breathe as one wishes, nor when one wishes. +If she closed her mouth she could not get enough air into her lungs.</p> + +<p>What was going to happen to her? She struggled up in bed, tearing at +the paper which replaced the window pane against which her bed was +placed. She tore away the paper, doing so as quietly as possible so as +not to wake the girls beside her. Then putting her mouth to the +opening she leaned her tired little head on the window sill. Finally +in sheer weariness she fell asleep.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h4>THE HUT ON THE ISLAND</h4> + +<p class="cap">WHEN she awoke a pale streak of light fell across the window, but it +was so feeble that it did not lighten the room. Outside the cocks were +crowing. Day was breaking.</p> + +<p>A chill, damp air was penetrating through the opening she had made in +the window, but in spite of that the bad odor in the room still +remained. It was dreadful!</p> + +<p>Yet all the girls slept a deep slumber, only broken now and again with +a stifled moan.</p> + +<p>Very quietly she got up and dressed. Then taking her shoes in her +hands she crept down the stairs to the door. She put on her shoes and +went out.</p> + +<p>Oh! the fresh, delicious air! Never had she taken a breath with such +thankfulness. She went through the little yard with her mouth wide +open, her nostrils quivering, her head thrown back. The sound of her +footsteps awoke a dog, which commenced to bark; then several other +dogs joined in.</p> + +<p>But what did that matter? She was no longer a little tramp at whom +dogs were at liberty to bark. If she wished to leave her bed she had a +perfect right to do so; she had paid out money for it.</p> + +<p>The yard was too small for her present mood;<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> she felt she must move +about. She went out onto the road and walked straight ahead without +knowing where.</p> + +<p>The shades of night still filled the roads, but above her head she saw +the dawn already whitening the tops of the trees and the roofs of the +houses. In a few minutes it would be day. At this moment the clang of +a bell broke the deep silence. It was the factory clock striking +three. She still had three more hours before going to work.</p> + +<p>How should she pass the time? She could not keep walking until six, +she would be too tired; so she would find a place where she could sit +down and wait.</p> + +<p>The sky was gradually getting brighter, and round about her various +forms were taking a concrete shape.</p> + +<p>At the end of a glade she could see a small hut made of branches and +twigs which was used by the game keepers during the winter. She +thought that if she could get to the hut she would be hidden there and +no one would see her and inquire what she was doing out in the fields +at that early hour.</p> + +<p>She found a small trail, barely traced, which seemed to lead to the +hut. She took it, and although it led her straight in the direction of +the little cabin, she had not reached it when the path ended, for it +was built upon a small island upon which grew three weeping willows. +Around it was a ditch full of water. Fortunately, the trunk of a tree +had been thrown across the ditch. Although it was not<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> very straight, +and was wet with the morning dew, which made it very slippery, Perrine +was not deterred from crossing.</p> + +<p>She managed to get across, and soon found herself before the door of +the little hut, which she only had to push to open.</p> + +<p>Oh, what a pretty nest! The hut was square, and from roof to floor was +lined inside with ferns. There was a little opening on each of the +four sides, which from without was invisible, but from within one +could gain a good view of the surrounding country. On the ground was a +thick bed of ferns, and in one of the corners a bench made from the +trunk of a tree.</p> + +<p>How delightful! And how little it resembled the room she had just +left! How much better it would be for her if she could sleep here in +the fresh air, sleeping in peace amongst the ferns, with no other +noise but the rustling of the leaves and the ripple of the water.</p> + +<p>How much better to be here than lying between Mother Françoise's hard +sheets, listening to the complaints of La Noyelle and her friends in +that dreadful atmosphere which even now seemed to assail her nostrils.</p> + +<p>She laid down on the ferns, curled up in a corner against the soft +walls covered with reeds, then closed her eyes. Before long she felt a +soft numbness creeping over her. She jumped to her feet, fearing that +she might drop off to sleep and not awake before it was time for her +to go to the factory.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sun had now risen, and through the aperture facing east a streak +of gold entered the hut. Outside the birds were singing, and all over +the tiny island, on the pond, on the branches of the weeping willows, +was heard a confusion of sounds, twittering and little shrill cries +which announced an awakening to life. Looking out of the window, she +could see the birds picking at the humid earth with their beaks, +snapping at the worms. Over the pond floated a light mist. A wild +duck, far prettier than the tame ducks, was swimming on the water, +surrounded with her young. She tried to keep them beside her with +continual little quacks, but she found it impossible to do so. The +ducklings escaped from the mother duck, scurrying off amongst the +reeds to search for the insects which came within their reach.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a quick blue streak, like lightning, flashed before Perrine's +eyes. It was not until it had disappeared that she realized that it +was a kingfisher which had just crossed the pond. For a long time, +standing quite still for fear a movement might betray her presence and +cause the birds to fly away, she stood at the opening looking out at +them. How pretty it all was in the morning light, gay, alive, amusing, +something new to look upon.</p> + +<p>Now and again she saw dark shadows pass capriciously over the pond. +The shadows grew larger without apparent cause, covering the pond. She +could not understand this, for the sun, which had risen above the +horizon, was shining in the sky<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> without a cloud. How did these +shadows come?</p> + +<p>She went to the door and saw a thick black smoke coming from the +factory chimneys.</p> + +<p>Work would commence very soon; it was time to leave the hut. As she +was about to go she picked up a newspaper from the seat that she had +not noticed before in the dim light. The newspaper was dated February +2. Then this thought came to her: This newspaper was on the only spot +in the place where one could sit down, and the date of it was several +months previous, so then this proved that the hut had been abandoned +and no one had passed through the door since last February.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h4>WORK IN THE FACTORY</h4> + +<p class="cap">WHEN she reached the road a loud whistle was heard, shrill and +powerful. Almost immediately other whistles replied from the distance. +This was the call for the factory hands who lived in Maraucourt, and +the other whistles repeated the summons to work from village to +village, St. Pipoy, Harcheux, Racour, Flexelles, in all the +Paindavoine factories, announcing to the owner of the vast works that +everywhere, at the same time, his factories were calling to his +employés to be ready for the day's work.</p> + +<p>Fearing she might be late she ran as far as the village. There she +found all the doors of the houses open. On the thresholds the men were +eating their soups or leaning against the walls; others were in the +cabarets drinking wine; others were washing at the pump in the yard. +No one seemed to be going to work, so evidently it was not time yet, +so Perrine thought that there was no occasion for her to hurry.</p> + +<p>But before long a louder whistle was blown, and then there was a +general movement everywhere; from houses, yards and taverns came a +dense crowd, filling the street. Men, women and children went<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> towards +the factories, some smoking their pipes, others munching a crust of +bread, the greater number chattering loudly. In one of the groups +Perrine caught sight of Rosalie in company with La Noyelle. She joined +them.</p> + +<p>"Why, where have you been?" asked Rosalie in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I got up early so as to take a walk," Perrine replied.</p> + +<p>"You did? I went to look for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you; but never do that, for I get up very early," said +Perrine.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at the factory the crowd went into the various workshops +under the watchful eye of a tall thin man who stood near the iron +gates, his hand in the pocket of his coat, his straw hat stuck on the +back of his head. His sharp eyes scanned everyone who passed.</p> + +<p>"That's Skinny," informed Rosalie in a whisper.</p> + +<p>Perrine did not need to be told this. She seemed to know at once that +this was the foreman Talouel.</p> + +<p>"Do I come in with you?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Sure!"</p> + +<p>This was a decisive moment for little Perrine, but she controlled her +nervousness and drew herself up to her full height. Why should they +not take her if they took everyone?</p> + +<p>Rosalie drew Perrine out of the crowd, then went up to Talouel.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur," she said, "here's a friend of mine who wants a job."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>Talouel glanced sharply at the friend.</p> + +<p>"In a moment ... we'll see," he replied curtly.</p> + +<p>Rosalie, who knew what to do, signed to Perrine to stand aside and +wait. At this moment there was a slight commotion at the gates, and +the crowd drew aside respectfully to allow Monsieur Paindavoine's +carriage to pass. The same young man who had driven him the evening +before was now driving. Although everyone knew that their chief, +Vulfran Paindavoine, was blind, all the men took off their hats as he +passed and the women curtseyed.</p> + +<p>"You see he's not the last one to come," said Rosalie, as the phaeton +passed through the gates, "but his nephews likely will be late."</p> + +<p>The clock struck, then a few late comers came running up. A young man +came hurrying along, arranging his tie as he ran.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Talouel," he said; "is uncle here yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Monsieur Theodore," said the foreman, "he got here a good five +minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>"You're not the last, though. Monsieur Casimir is late also. I can see +him coming now."</p> + +<p>As Theodore went towards the offices his cousin Casimir came up +hurriedly.</p> + +<p>The two cousins were not at all alike, either in their looks or ways. +Casimir gave the foreman a short nod, but did not say a word.</p> + +<p>"What can your friend do?" asked Talouel, turning to Rosalie, his +hands still in his pockets.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<p>Perrine herself replied to this question.</p> + +<p>"I have not worked in a factory before," she said in a voice that she +tried to control.</p> + +<p>Talouel gave her a sharp look, then turned again to Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Tell Oneux to put her with the trucks. Now be off. Hurry up!"</p> + +<p>Thus dismissed, Rosalie hurried Perrine away.</p> + +<p>"What are the trucks?" asked little Perrine as she followed her friend +through the big courtyard. She wondered, poor child, if she had the +strength and the intelligence to do what was required of her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy enough," replied Rosalie, lightly. "Don't be afraid; +you've only got to load the trucks."</p> + +<p>"Oh!..."</p> + +<p>"And when it's full," continued Rosalie, "you push it along to the +place where they empty it. You give a good shove to begin with, then +it'll go all alone."</p> + +<p>As they passed down the corridors they could scarcely hear each other +speak for the noise of the machinery. Rosalie pushed open the door of +one of the workshops and took Perrine into a long room. There was a +deafening roar from the thousand tiny machines, yet above the noise +they could hear a man calling out: "Ah, there you are, you loafer!"</p> + +<p>"Who's a loafer, pray?" retorted Rosalie. "That ain't me, just +understand that, Father Ninepins."</p> + +<p>"What have you been doin'?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Skinny told me to bring my friend to you to work on the trucks."</p> + +<p>The one whom she had addressed in this amiable manner was an old man +with a wooden leg. He had lost his leg in the factory twelve years +previous, hence his nickname, "Ninepins." He now had charge of a +number of girls whom he treated rudely, shouting and swearing at them. +The working of these machines needed as much attention of the eye as +deftness of hand in lifting up the full spools and replacing them with +empty ones, and fastening the broken thread. He was convinced that if +he did not shout and swear at them incessantly, emphasizing each curse +with a stout bang of his wooden leg on the floor, he would see his +machines stop, which to him was intolerable. But as he was a good man +at heart, no one paid much attention to him, and besides, the greater +part of his cursing was lost in the noise of the machinery.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and with it all, your machine has stopped," cried Rosalie +triumphantly, shaking her fist at him.</p> + +<p>"Go on with you," he shouted back; "that ain't my fault."</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" he added, addressing Perrine.</p> + +<p>This request, which she ought to have foreseen, for only the night +before Rosalie had asked the same question, made her start. As she did +not wish to give her real name, she stood hesitating. Old Ninepins +thought that she had not heard, and bang<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>ing his wooden leg on the +floor again, he cried:</p> + +<p>"I asked you what your name was, didn't I? Eh?"</p> + +<p>She had time to collect herself and to recall the one that she had +already given to Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Aurelie," she said.</p> + +<p>"Aurelie what?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"That is all ... just Aurelie," she replied.</p> + +<p>"All right, Aurelie; come on with me," he said.</p> + +<p>He took her to a small truck stationed in a far corner and explained +what she had to do, the same as Rosalie had.</p> + +<p>"Do you understand?" he shouted several times.</p> + +<p>She nodded.</p> + +<p>And really what she had to do was so simple that she would indeed have +been stupid if she had been unable to do it. She gave all her +attention to the task, but every now and again old Ninepins called +after her:</p> + +<p>"Now, don't play on the way." But this was more to warn than to scold +her.</p> + +<p>She had no thought of playing, but as she pushed her truck with a good +regular speed, while not stopping, she was able to see what was going +on on the way. One push started the truck, and all she had to do was +to see that there were no obstacles in its way.</p> + +<p>At luncheon time each girl hurried to her home. Perrine went to the +baker's and got the baker to cut her a half a pound of bread, which +she ate as she walked the streets, smelling the while the good odor<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +of the soup which came from the open doors before which she passed. +She walked slowly when she smelled a soup that she liked. She was +rather hungry, and a half a pound of bread is not much, so it +disappeared quickly.</p> + +<p>Long before the time for her to go back to work she was at the gates. +She sat down on a bench in the shade of a tree and waited for the +whistle, watching the boys and girls playing, running and jumping. She +was too timid to join in their games, although she would like to have +done so.</p> + +<p>When Rosalie came she went back to her work with her.</p> + +<p>Before the day was ended she was so tired that she did indeed merit +Ninepins' sharp rebuke.</p> + +<p>"Go on! Can't you go faster than that?" he cried.</p> + +<p>Startled by the bang from his wooden leg which accompanied his words, +she stepped out like a horse under the lash of a whip, but only to +slow up the moment she was out of his sight. Her shoulders ached, her +arms ached, her head ached. At first it had seemed so easy to push the +truck, but to have to keep at it all day was too much for her. All she +wanted now was for the day to end. Why could she not do as much as the +others? Some of them were not so old as she, and yet they did not +appear tired. Perhaps when she was accustomed to the work she would +not feel so exhausted.</p> + +<p>She reasoned thus as she wearily pushed her loaded truck, glancing at +the others with envy as<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> they briskly +went on with their work. Suddenly she saw Rosalie, who was fastening some +threads, fall down beside the girl who was next to her. At the same time +a girlish cry of anguish was heard.</p> + +<p>The machinery was stopped at once. All was silent now, the silence +only broken by a moan. Boys and girls, in fact everyone, hurried +towards Rosalie, despite the sharp words from old Ninepins. "Thunder +in Heaven, the machines have stopped. What's the matter?" he cried.</p> + +<p>The girls crowded around Rosalie and lifted her to her feet.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" they asked.</p> + +<p>"It's my hand," she murmured; "I caught it in the machine. Oh!..."</p> + +<p>Her face was very pale, her lips bloodless. Drops of blood were +falling from her crushed hand. But upon examining it, it was found that +only two fingers were hurt, one probably broken.</p> + +<p>Ninepins, who at first had felt pity for the girl, now began pushing +those who surrounded her back to their places.</p> + +<p>"Be off; go back to your work," he cried. "A lot of fuss about +nothing."</p> + +<p>"Yes; it was a lot of fuss for nothing when you broke your leg, wasn't +it?" cried out a voice.</p> + +<p>He glanced about to see who had spoken, but it was impossible to find +out in the crowd. Then he shouted again:</p> + +<p>"Get back to your work. Hurry up!"</p> + +<p>Slowly they dispersed and Perrine, like the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> others, was on her way +back to her truck, when Ninepins called to her:</p> + +<p>"Here, you new one, there; come here! Come on, quicker than that."</p> + +<p>She came back timidly, wondering why she was more guilty than the +others who had also left their work. But she found that he did not +wish to punish her.</p> + +<p>"Take that young fool there to the foreman," he said.</p> + +<p>"What do you call me a fool for?" cried Rosalie, raising her voice, +for already the machines were in motion. "It wasn't my fault, was it?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, it was your fault, clumsy." Then he added in a softer tone:</p> + +<p>"Does it hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very much," replied Rosalie bravely.</p> + +<p>"Well, go on home; be off now."</p> + +<p>Rosalie and Perrine went out together, Rosalie holding her wounded +hand, which was the left, in her right hand.</p> + +<p>"Won't you lean on me, Rosalie?" asked little Perrine anxiously. "I am +sure it must be dreadful."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm all right; thank you," said Rosalie. "At least I can walk."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, it isn't much then, is it?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"One can't tell the first day. It's later that one suffers. I slipped, +that's how it happened."</p> + +<p>"You must have been getting tired," said Perrine, thinking of her own +feelings.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sure, it's always when one is tired that one is caught," said +Rosalie. "We are quick and sharp first thing in the morning. I wonder +what Aunt Zenobie will say!"</p> + +<p>"But it wasn't your fault," insisted Perrine.</p> + +<p>"I know that," said Rosalie, ruefully. "Grandmother will believe that, +but Aunt Zenobie won't. She'll say it's 'cause I don't want to work."</p> + +<p>On their way through the building several men stopped them to ask what +was the matter. Some pitied Rosalie, but most of them listened +indifferently, as though they were used to such accidents. They said +that it was always so: one gets hurt the same as one falls sick; just +a matter of chance, each in his turn, you today, and me tomorrow. But +there were some who showed anger that such an accident could have +occurred.</p> + +<p>They came to a small outside building which was used for offices. They +had to mount some wide steps which led to a porch. Talouel was +standing on the porch, walking up and down with his hands in his +pockets, his hat on his head. He seemed to be taking a general survey, +like a captain on the bridge.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now?" he cried, angrily, when he saw the two girls.</p> + +<p>Rosalie showed him her bleeding hand.</p> + +<p>"Wrap your paw up in your handkerchief then," he said, roughly. +<a name="Page_124pic" id="Page_124pic"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;"> +<img src="images/illus03d.jpg" width="430" height="659" +alt=""WHAT'S THE MATTER NOW?" HE CRIED ANGRILY." +title=""WHAT'S THE MATTER NOW?" HE CRIED ANGRILY." /> +<span class="caption">"WHAT'S THE MATTER NOW?" HE CRIED ANGRILY.</span> +</div> + +<p>With Perrine's aid she got her handkerchief out of her pocket. Talouel +strode up and down the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> porch. After the +handkerchief had been twisted around the wounded hand he came over to +poor Rosalie and stood towering above her.</p> + +<p>"Empty your pockets," he ordered. She looked at him, not +understanding.</p> + +<p>"I say, take everything out of your pockets," he said again.</p> + +<p>She did what she was told, and drew from her pockets an assortment of +things—a whistle made from a nut, some bones, a thimble, a stick of +liquorice, three cents, and a little mirror.</p> + +<p>The bully at once seized the mirror.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I was sure of it," he cried. "While you were looking at yourself +in the glass a thread broke and your spool stopped. You tried to catch +the time lost and that's how it happened."</p> + +<p>"I did not look in my glass," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Bah! you're all the same. I know you. Now: what's the trouble?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but my hand is crushed," said poor Rosalie, trying to +keep back her tears.</p> + +<p>"Well, and what do you want me to do?"</p> + +<p>"Father Ninepins told me to come to you," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"And you ... what's the matter with you?" he asked, turning to +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," she replied, disconcerted.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Father Ninepins told her to bring me here," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Well, she can take you to Dr. Ruchon and let<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> him see it. But I'm +going to look into this matter and find out if it is your fault, and +if it is ... look out!"</p> + +<p>He spoke in a loud, bullying voice which could be heard throughout the +offices.</p> + +<p>As the two girls were about to go M. Vulfran Paindavoine appeared, +guiding himself with his hand along the wall.</p> + +<p>"What's it all about, Talouel? What's the matter here?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing much, sir," replied the foreman. "One of the girls has hurt +her hand."</p> + +<p>"Where is she?"</p> + +<p>"Here I am, Monsieur Vulfran," said Rosalie, going up to him.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Mother Françoise's granddaughter, Rosalie, isn't it?" asked +the blind man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's me, Monsieur Vulfran," said Rosalie, beginning to cry. +Harsh words had hardened her heart, but this tone of pity was too much +for poor Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with your hand, my poor girl?" asked the blind +man.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir, I think my two fingers are broken," she said, "although I am +not in much pain."</p> + +<p>"Well, why are you crying?" asked M. Vulfran, tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Because you speak so kindly to me."</p> + +<p>Talouel shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Now go home at once," said M. Vulfran, "and I'll send the doctor to +you."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Write a note to Dr. Ruchon," he said, turning to Talouel, "and tell +him to call at Mother Françoise's house; say that the matter is urgent +and he must go there at once."</p> + +<p>"Do you want anyone to go with you?" he asked, addressing Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, Monsieur Vulfran; I have a friend here with me," she +replied.</p> + +<p>"She can go with you then, and tell your grandmother that you will be +paid while you are away."</p> + +<p>It was Perrine now who felt like crying, but catching Talouel's +glance, she stiffened. It was not until they had passed out of the +yard that she betrayed her emotion.</p> + +<p>"Isn't Monsieur Vulfran kind?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Rosalie; "he would be all right if he were alone, but +with Skinny he can't be; he hasn't the time and he has a lot to think +about."</p> + +<p>"Well, he seemed very kind to you," said little Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," Rosalie said, drawing herself up; "I make him think of his +son. My mother was Monsieur Edmond's foster sister."</p> + +<p>"Does he think of his son?"</p> + +<p>"He thinks of nothing else."</p> + +<p>Everybody came to their doors as Rosalie and Perrine passed. Rosalie's +handkerchief was covered with blood. Most of the people were merely +curious, others felt sorry, others were angry, knowing that what had +happened to this girl that day might happen the next day, at any +moment, to their<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> fathers, husbands, and +children. Was not everyone in Maraucourt employed at the factory?</p> + +<p>"You come on in with me," said Rosalie, when they reached the house; +"then perhaps Aunt Zenobie won't say much."</p> + +<p>But Perrine's presence had no effect upon the terrible aunt. Seeing +Rosalie arrive at such an unusual hour, and noticing that her hand was +wrapped up, she cried out shrilly: "Now, then, you've gone and hurt +yourself, you lazy bones. I bet you did it on purpose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm goin' to be paid," retorted Rosalie, scornfully.</p> + +<p>"You think so, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran told me that I should."</p> + +<p>But this information did not appease Aunt Zenobie. She continued to +scold until Mother Françoise, leaving her store, came to see what was +the matter. But the old grandmother, instead of showing anger, put her +arms about Rosalie and said: "Oh, my dearie; you've gone and got +hurt."</p> + +<p>"Just a little, grandmother ... it's my fingers ... but it ain't +much."</p> + +<p>"We must have Dr. Ruchon."</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran is going to send him here."</p> + +<p>Perrine was about to follow them into the house when Aunt Zenobie +turned upon her and stopped her.</p> + +<p>"What are you coming for?" she asked. "Do you think we need you to +look after her?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank you for coming," called out Rosalie to Perrine.</p> + +<p>Perrine had nothing to do but to return to the factory, which she did. +But just as she reached the gates a whistle announced that it was +closing time.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h4>NEW SHOES</h4> + +<p class="cap">A DOZEN times during the day she had asked herself how she could +possibly sleep in that room where she had been almost suffocated. She +was sure that she would not be able to sleep any better that night, or +the next, or the next.</p> + +<p>And if she could not find rest after a hard day's work, whatever would +happen to her?</p> + +<p>In her little mind she weighed all the consequences of this terrible +question. If she had not the strength to do her work she would be sent +away from the factory, and that would be the end of all her hopes. She +would be ill and there would be no one to help her, and she would have +to lie down at the foot of a tree and die.</p> + +<p>It is true that unless she wished she was not obliged to occupy the +bed that she had paid for, but where would she find another, and what +would she say to Rosalie? How could she say in a nice way that what +was good for others was not good for her, and when they knew how +disgusted she had been, how would they treat her? She might create +such ill feeling that she would be forced to leave the factory.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>The day had passed without her having come to a decision.</p> + +<p>But now that Rosalie had hurt her hand the situation was changed. Poor +Rosalie would probably have to stay in bed for several days, and she +would not know what happened in the house at the end of the yard. She +would not know who slept in the room or who did not; consequently she +need fear no questions. And, on the other hand, as none of the girls +in the room knew who the new lodger for the night had been, neither +would they bother about her; it might very well be someone who had +decided to find a lodging elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Reasoning thus, she decided quickly that she would go and sleep in her +new little home. How good it would be to sleep there—nothing to fear +from anyone, a roof to cover her head, without counting the enjoyment +of living in a house of one's own.</p> + +<p>The matter was quite decided, and after having been to the baker's to +buy another half a pound of bread for her supper, instead of returning +to Mother Françoise's she again took the road that she had taken early +that morning.</p> + +<p>She slipped behind the hedge as the factory hands who lived outside +Maraucourt came tramping along the road on their way home. She did not +wish to be seen by them. While she waited for them to pass she +gathered a quantity of rushes and ferns and made a broom. Her new home +was clean and comfortable, but with a little attention it could be<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +made more so, and she would pick a lot of dried ferns and make a good +soft bed to lie upon.</p> + +<p>Forgetting her fatigue, she quickly tied the broom together with some +wisps of straw and fastened it to a stick. No less quickly a bunch of +ferns was arranged in a mass so that she could easily carry them to +her hut.</p> + +<p>The road was now deserted as far as she could see. Hoisting the bed of +ferns on her back and taking the broom in her hands, she ran down the +hill and across the road. When she came to the narrow path she had to +slacken her speed, for the ferns caught in the branches and she could +not pass without going down on her knees.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at the island, she began at once to do her housework. +She threw away the old ferns, then commenced to sweep everywhere, the +roof, the walls and the ground.</p> + +<p>As she looked out over the pond and saw the reeds growing thickly, a +bright idea came to her. She needed some shoes. One does not go about +a deserted island in leather shoes. She knew how to plait, and she +would make a pair of soles with the reeds and get a little canvas for +the tops and tie them on with ribbon.</p> + +<p>As soon as she had finished her sweeping she ran out to the pond and +picked a quantity of the most flexible reeds and carried them back to +the door of her hut and commenced to work. But after she had made a +plait of reeds about a yard long she found that this sole that she was +making would be<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> too light; because +it was too hollow, there would be no solidity, and that before plaiting the +reeds they would have to undergo a preparation which in crushing the fibres +would transform them into coarse strings.</p> + +<p>However, this did not stop her. Now she needed a hammer, of course she +could not find one, but what she did find was a big round stone, which +served her purpose very well indeed. Then she commenced to beat the +reeds. Night came on while she was still at work, and she went to +sleep dreaming of the beautiful sandals tied with blue ribbons which +she would have, for she did not doubt but that she would succeed with +what she had undertaken ... if not the first time, well, then the +second or the third ... or the tenth.</p> + +<p>By the next evening she had plaited enough to begin the soles, and the +following day, having bought a curved awl for the price of one sou, +some thread for one sou, a piece of ribbon for the same price, a small +piece of rough canvas for four sous, in all seven sous, which was all +that she could spend if she did not wish to go without bread on the +Saturday, she tried to make a sole like those worn on shoes. The first +one that she made was almost round. This was not exactly the shape of +the foot. The second one, to which she gave much more attention, +seemed to resemble nothing at all; the third was a little better, but +finally the fourth, which, with some practice, she had managed to +tighten in<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> the center and draw +in at the heel, could pass for a sole.</p> + +<p>Once more she had proved that with a little perseverance, a little +will, one can do what one wants, even if at first it seems impossible. +And she had done this with scarcely anything, a few sous, with no +tools, with hardly anything at her command. She was really very happy +and she considered that her work was very successful.</p> + +<p>Now what she needed most to finish her sandals were scissors. They +would cost so much to buy she would have to manage without them. +Fortunately she had her knife, and with the help of a stone to sharpen +the point she could make it fine enough to trim the canvas.</p> + +<p>But the cutting of the pieces of canvas she found quite a difficult +matter. Finally she accomplished it, and on the following Saturday +morning she had the satisfaction of going forth shod in a nice pair of +gray canvas shoes, tied with blue ribbons crossed over her stockings.</p> + +<p>While she had been working on her shoes (the work had taken four +evenings and three mornings beginning at the break of day), she had +wondered what she should do with her leather shoes while she was away +from the hut. She had no fear that they would be stolen by anyone, for +no one came to the place, but then the rats might eat them. So as to +prevent this she would put them in a place where the rats could not +get at them.</p> + +<p>This was a rather difficult matter, for the rats<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> seemed to be +everywhere. She had no closet, no box to put them away in. Finally she +tied them to the roof with some wisps of straw.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h4>STRANGE HOUSEKEEPING</h4> + +<p class="cap">ALTHOUGH she was very proud of her shoes, she was rather anxious as to +how she would conduct herself while wearing them at work. While she +loaded her truck or pushed it along she was continually looking down +at her feet.</p> + +<p>By doing so she would probably attract the attention of the other +girls. This is exactly what did happen. Several of her comrades +noticed them and complimented her.</p> + +<p>"Where did you buy those shoes?" one asked.</p> + +<p>"They are not shoes; they are sandals," corrected Perrine.</p> + +<p>"No, they are not; they are shoes," said the girl; "but whatever they +are they sure are pretty. Where did you buy them?"</p> + +<p>"I made them myself with plaited reeds and four cents worth of +canvas," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"They <i>are</i> beautiful."</p> + +<p>The success she had made of her shoes decided her to undertake another +task. She had thought several times of doing it, but it was much more +difficult, or so she thought, and might mean too much expense. She +wanted to make a chemise to replace the only one which she possessed. +For it was very<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> + inconvenient to take off this only garment to wash it +and then wait until it was dry to put it on again. She needed two +yards of calico, and she wondered how much it would cost. And how +would she cut the goods when she had them? These were very difficult +questions to answer. She certainly had something to think about.</p> + +<p>She wondered if it would not be wiser to begin by making a print dress +to replace her waist and skirt, which was worn more than ever now, as +she had to sleep in it. It could last a very little while longer. When +it was finished, how would she go out? For her daily bread, as much as +for the success of her future plans, she must continue to be admitted +to the factory.</p> + +<p>Yet on the Saturday evening when she had the three francs in her hand +which she had earned for the week's work, she could not resist the +temptation of a chemise. She still considered a waist and skirt of the +utmost utility, but then a chemise also was indispensable, and besides +there were many arguments in favor of the chemise—cleanliness in +which she had been brought up, self-respect. Finally the chemise won +the day. She would mend her waist and skirt; as the material had +formerly been very strong, it would still hold a few more darns.</p> + +<p>Every day at the luncheon hour she went to Mother Françoise's house to +ask news of Rosalie. Sometimes news was given to her, sometimes not, +according to whether it was the grandmother or the aunt whom she saw. +<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>On her way to inquire for Rosalie she passed a little store which was +divided into two sections. On one side newspapers, pictures and songs +were sold, and on the other linens, calicos and prints. Perrine had +often looked in this store. How nice it would be to go in and have +them cut off as much material as she wished! Sometimes, when she had +been looking in the window, pretending to look at the newspapers or a +song, she had seen girls from the factory enter and come out shortly +after with parcels carefully wrapped up, which they held clasped +tightly to them. She had thought then that such pleasure was not for +her ... at least not then.</p> + +<p>Now she could enter the store if she wished, for she had three silver +coins in her hand. She went in.</p> + +<p>"What is it you want, mademoiselle?" asked a little old woman +politely, with a pleasant smile.</p> + +<p>"Will you please tell me what is the price of calico the yard ... the +cheapest?" asked Perrine timidly.</p> + +<p>"I have it at forty centimes the yard," said the old woman.</p> + +<p>Perrine gave a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Will you cut me two yards, please?" she said.</p> + +<p>"It won't wear very well ... but the sixty centimes...."</p> + +<p>"The forty centime one will do, thank you," said little Perrine.</p> + +<p>"As you like," said the old woman. "I wouldn't like you to come back +after and say...."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't do that," interrupted Perrine hastily. +<a name="Page_139pic" id="Page_139pic"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;"> +<img src="images/illus04d.jpg" width="430" height="659" +alt="SHE HAD SOME TIME AGO DECIDED ON THE SHAPE." +title="SHE HAD SOME TIME AGO DECIDED ON THE SHAPE." /> +<span class="caption">SHE HAD SOME TIME AGO DECIDED ON THE SHAPE.</span> +</div> + +<p>The old woman cut off two yards, and Perrine noticed that it was not +white nor shiny like the one she had admired in the window.</p> + +<p>"Any more?" asked the shopkeeper when she had torn the calico with a +sharp, dry rip.</p> + +<p>"I want some thread also," said Perrine; "a spool of white, number +forty."</p> + +<p>Now it was Perrine's turn to leave the store with her little newspaper +parcel hugged tightly to her heart. Out of her three francs (sixty +centimes) she had spent eighteen, so there still remained forty-two +until the following Saturday. She would have to spend twenty sous for +bread, so that left her fourteen sous for extras.</p> + +<p>She ran back all the way to her little island. When she reached her +cabin she was out of breath, but that did not prevent her from +beginning her work at once. She had some time ago decided upon the +shape she would give her chemise. She would make it quite straight, +first, because that was the simplest and the easiest way for one who +had never cut out anything before and who had no scissors, and +secondly, because she could use the string that was in her old one for +this new one.</p> + +<p>Everything went very well; to begin with, there was no cutting in the +straight piece. Perhaps there was nothing to admire in her work but at +any rate she did not have to do it over again. But when the time came +for shaping the openings for<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> the head and arms +then she experienced difficulties! She had only a knife to do the cutting +and she was so afraid that she would tear the calico. With a trembling hand +she took the risk. At last it was finished, and on Tuesday morning she +would be able to go to the factory wearing a chemise earned by her own +work, cut and sewn by her own hands.</p> + +<p>That day when she went to Mother Françoise's; it was Rosalie who came +to meet her with her arm in a sling.</p> + +<p>"Are you better?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"No, but they let me get up and they said that I could come out in the +yard," replied Rosalie.</p> + +<p>Perrine was very pleased to see her friend again and asked all kinds +of questions, but Rosalie seemed rather reserved. Perrine could not +understand this attitude.</p> + +<p>"Where are you living now?" asked Rosalie.</p> + +<p>Fearing to say where, Perrine evaded a direct answer to this question.</p> + +<p>"It was too expensive for me here," she said, "and I had so little +money left for food and other things."</p> + +<p>"Well, did you find anything cheaper elsewhere?"</p> + +<p>"I don't have to pay."</p> + +<p>"Oh!..."</p> + +<p>She looked narrowly at Perrine, then her curiosity got the better of +her.</p> + +<p>"Who are you with?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again Perrine could not give a direct answer.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you that later," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, when you like," replied Rosalie carelessly, "only let me tell you +this, if you see Aunt Zenobie in the yard or at the door you had +better not come in. She doesn't want to see you here. If you come it +is better to come in the evening, then she ... she is busy."</p> + +<p>Perrine went to the factory very saddened by this welcome. What had +she done that she could not go into the house? All day long she +remained under the impression that she had offended them. When evening +came and she found herself alone in the cabin having nothing to do for +the first time in eight days, she was even more depressed. Then she +thought that she would go and walk in the fields that surrounded her +little island, for she had not yet had time to do this.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful evening. She wandered around the pond, walking in +the high grass that had not been trodden by anyone. She looked across +the water at her little home which seemed almost hidden amongst the +trees. The birds and beasts could not suspect that it was the work of +man behind which he could lie in ambush with his gun.</p> + +<p>At that moment she heard a noise at her feet which frightened her and +a water hen jumped into the water, terrified. Then looking about her +she saw a nest made of grass and feathers in which were ten white +eggs, dirty little eggs with small dark spots.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instead of being placed on the ground amongst the grass the nest was +floating on the water. She examined it but without touching it, and +noticed that it was made in a way to go up and down according to the +flow of the water, and was so surrounded with reeds that neither the +current nor the wind could carry it away.</p> + +<p>The mother hen, anxious, took up her position at a distance and stayed +there. Perrine hid herself in the high grass and waited to see if she +would come back to her nest.</p> + +<p>As she did not return, she went on with her walk, and again and again +the rustling of her dress frightened other birds. The water hens, so +lissom in their escape, ran to the floating leaves of the water lilies +without going under. She saw birds everywhere.</p> + +<p>When an hour later she returned to her little home the hut was hidden +half in the shadows of night. It was so quiet and pretty she thought, +and how pleased she was that she had shown as much intelligence as +these birds ... to make her nest here.</p> + +<p>With Perrine, as with many little children, it was the events of the +day which shaped her dreams by night. The unhappiness through which +she had passed the last few months had often colored her dreams, and +many times since her troubles had commenced, she had awakened in the +night with the perspiration pouring off her. Her sleep was<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> disturbed +with nightmares caused by the miseries she had experienced in the day.</p> + +<p>Now since she had been at Maraucourt and had new hopes and was at +work, the nightmares had been less frequent and so she was not so sad.</p> + +<p>Now she thought of what she was going to do at the factory the next +day, of the skirt and waist that she would make, of her underwear.</p> + +<p>Now on this particular evening after she had wandered over the fields +surrounding her home and had entered her little nest to go to sleep, +strange visions passed before her sleepy eyes. She thought that she +was walking about the field exploring, and came upon a great big +kitchen, a wonderful kitchen like in castles, and there were a number +of little dwarfs of the most diabolical shapes, sitting around a big +table before a blazing fire; some of them were breaking eggs, others +were beating them up until they were white and frothy; and some of +these eggs were as large as melons and others were as small as a +little pea, and the dwarfs made the most extraordinary dishes from +them. They seemed to know the every kind of dish that could be made +with eggs,—boiled eggs with cheese and butter; with tomatoes; +poached; fried eggs; various omelettes with ham and kidney, jam or +rum; the rum set afire and flaming with sparkling lights. And then +there were more important dishes still which only the head cooks were +handling ... pastries and delicious creams.</p> + +<p>Now and again she half woke and she tried to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> banish the stupid dream +but it came again and the elfs still went on doing their fantastic +work, so that when the factory whistle sounded she was still watching +them prepare some chocolate creams which she could almost taste in her +mouth.</p> + +<p>Then she knew that what had impressed her most during her walk was not +the beauty of the night but simply those eggs which she had seen in +the nest, which had told her stomach that for fourteen days she had +eaten only bread and water. These eggs had made her dream of the elfs +and all those delicious things that they were making; she was hungry +for good things and she had found it out through her dream.</p> + +<p>Why had she not taken those eggs, or at least some of them, they did +not belong to anyone for the duck was wild? Of course as she had no +saucepan or frying pan or any kitchen utensils whatever, she could not +prepare any of the dishes that she had seen made before her dream +eyes. But there, that was the best about eggs, they could be used +without any very skillful preparation; a lighted match put to a little +heap of dry wood and then she could cook them hard or soft, how she +liked, in the hot ashes. And she would buy a saucepan or a pan as soon +as possible.</p> + +<p>Several times this idea came to her while she was at work that day +until finally she decided to buy a box of matches and a cent's worth +of salt. As soon as she had made her purchases she ran back to her +hut.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>She had been too interested in the place where she had discovered the +nest not to be able to find it again. The mother was not occupying the +nest but she had been there during the day because Perrine saw now +that instead of ten eggs there were eleven, which proved that she had +not finished laying.</p> + +<p>Here was a good chance for her to help herself. In the first place the +eggs were fresh, and then if she only took five or six, the duck, who +did not know how to count, would not notice that any one had been +there.</p> + +<p>A short time ago Perrine would not have had any scruples and she would +have quickly emptied the nest, without a thought, but the sorrows that +she had experienced had made her very thoughtful for the griefs of +others; in this same manner her love for Palikare had made her feel an +affection for all animals that she had not known in her early +childhood.</p> + +<p>After she had taken the eggs she wondered where she could cook them; +naturally this could not be done in the cabin for the slightest wreath +of smoke which would emerge from it would indicate to anyone who saw +it that someone was living there.</p> + +<p>There was a gypsy camp quite near which she passed by to get to her +island, and a little smoke coming from there would attract no +attention.</p> + +<p>She quickly got together some wood and lighted it; soon she had a fire +in the ashes of which she cooked one of her eggs. She lacked an egg +cup but what did that matter? A little hole made in<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> a piece of bread +could hold the egg. In a few minutes she had the satisfaction of +dipping a piece of bread in her egg, which was cooked to perfection. +It seemed to her as she took the first mouthful that she had never +eaten anything so good.</p> + +<p>When she had finished her supper she wondered how she should use the +remainder of her eggs. She would have to use them sparingly for she +might not be able to get any more for a long time. A hot soup with an +egg broken into it would be very good.</p> + +<p>As the idea of having some soup came into her head, it was almost +immediately followed by the regret that she could not have it. The +success of her canvas shoes and her underwear had inspired her with a +certain amount of confidence. She had proved that one can do a great +deal if one perseveres, but she had not enough confidence to imagine +that she could ever make a saucepan for her soup or a metal or wooden +spoon, and if she waited until she had the money required to buy these +utensils, she would have to content herself with the smell of the soup +that came to her as she passed by the open doors.</p> + +<p>She was telling herself this as she went to work, but just before she +reached the village she saw a heap of rubbish by the side of the road +and amongst the debris she noticed some tin cans which had been used +for potted meat, fish and vegetables. There were different shapes, +some large, some small, some high, some low.</p> + +<p>Noticing how shiny they were on the surface,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> she instinctively +stopped; she had not a moment's hesitation. The saucepans, dishes, +forks, spoons which she lacked were all here; she could have a whole +array of kitchen utensils; she had only to make her choice. With a +bound she was across the road; quickly picking out four cans she ran +back and hid them behind a hedge so that when evening came she would +be able to find them.</p> + +<p>When evening came she found her treasures and made for her home.</p> + +<p>She did not wish to make a noise on her island any more than she +wished smoke to be seen, so at the end of her day's work she went to +her gypsy's camp hoping that she might find a tool or something that +would serve her for a hammer with which to flatten the tins that were +to be used for plates, saucepans, spoons, etc.</p> + +<p>She found that it was a very difficult task to make a spoon. It took +her no less than three days to do so, and when it was done, she was +not at all sure that if she had shown it to anyone, he would have +recognized it for a spoon. But she had made something that served her +purpose, that was enough; besides, she ate alone and there would be no +one to notice her utensils.</p> + +<p>Now for the soup for which she longed! All she wanted was butter and +sorrel. She would have to buy butter and naturally as she couldn't +make milk she would have to buy that also.</p> + +<p>The sorrel she would find wild in the fields and she could also find +wild carrots and oyster plants.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> They were not so good as the +cultivated vegetables but they would suit her very well indeed.</p> + +<p>She not only had eggs and vegetables for her dinner, and her pots and +pans, but there were fish in the pond and if she were sharp enough to +catch them she would have fish too.</p> + +<p>She needed a line and some worms. She had a long piece of string left +over from the piece she had bought for her shoes and she had only to +spend one sou for some hooks, then with a piece of horse hair she +could pick up outside the blacksmith's door, she would have a line +good enough to catch several kinds of fish; if the best in the pond +passed disdainfully before her simple bait then she would have to be +satisfied with little ones.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h4>A BANQUET IN THE HUT</h4> + +<p class="cap">PERRINE was so busy of an evening that she let an entire week pass +before she again went to see Rosalie. However, one of the girls at the +factory who lodged with Mother Françoise had brought her news of her +friend. Perrine, as well as being busy, had been afraid that she might +see that terrible Aunt Zenobie and so she had let the days pass.</p> + +<p>Then one evening after work she thought that she would not return at +once to her little island. She had no supper to prepare. The night +before she had caught some fish and cooked it, and she intended to +have it cold for her supper that evening.</p> + +<p>Rosalie was alone in the garden sitting under an apple tree. When she +saw Perrine she came to the gate, half pleased, half annoyed.</p> + +<p>"I thought that you were not coming any more," she said.</p> + +<p>"I've been very busy."</p> + +<p>"What with?"</p> + +<p>Perrine showed Rosalie her shoes. Then she told her how she had made +herself a chemise and the trouble she had had in cutting it.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't you borrow a pair of scissors from<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> the people in your +house?" asked Rosalie in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"There is no one in my house who could lend me scissors," replied +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Everybody has scissors!"</p> + +<p>Perrine wondered if she ought to keep her abode a secret any longer. +She was afraid that if she did so she might offend Rosalie, so she +decided to tell her.</p> + +<p>"Nobody lives in my house," she said smiling.</p> + +<p>"Whatever do you mean?" asked Rosalie with round eyes.</p> + +<p>"That's so, and that's why, as I wasn't able to borrow a saucepan to +cook my soup in and a spoon to eat it with, I had to make them and I +can tell you that it was harder for me to make my spoon than to make +my shoes."</p> + +<p>"You're joking!"</p> + +<p>"No, really."</p> + +<p>Then she told her everything, how she had taken possession of the +cabin, and made her own cooking utensils, and about her search for +eggs, and how she fished and cooked in the gypsy's camping ground.</p> + +<p>Rosalie's eyes opened wider still in wonder and delight. She seemed to +be listening to a wonderful story.</p> + +<p>When Perrine told her how she made her first sorrel soup, she clapped +her hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how delicious! How you must have enjoyed it!" she cried. "What +fun!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, everything is great fun when things go<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> right," said Perrine; +"but when things won't go! I worked three days for my spoon. I +couldn't scoop it out properly. I spoiled two large pieces of tin and +had only one left. And my! how I banged my fingers with the stones +that I had to use in place of a hammer!"</p> + +<p>"But your soup, that's what I'm thinking of," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was good."</p> + +<p>"You know," said Perrine, "there's sorrel and carrots, watercress, +onions, parsnips, turnips, and ever so many things to eat that one can +find in the fields. They are not quite the same as the cultivated +vegetables, but they are good!"</p> + +<p>"One ought to know that!"</p> + +<p>"It was my father who taught me to know them."</p> + +<p>Rosalie was silent for a moment, then she said:</p> + +<p>"Would you like me to come and see you?"</p> + +<p>"I should love to have you if you'll promise not to tell anyone where +I live," said Perrine, delightedly.</p> + +<p>"I promise," said Rosalie, solemnly.</p> + +<p>"Well, when will you come?"</p> + +<p>"On Sunday I am going to see one of my aunts at Saint-Pipoy; on my way +back in the afternoon I can stop...."</p> + +<p>Perrine hesitated for a moment, then she said amiably:</p> + +<p>"Do better than just call; stay to dinner with me."</p> + +<p>Rosalie, like the real peasant that she was, began<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> to reply vaguely +in a ceremonious fashion, neither saying yes nor no; but it was quite +plain to see that she wished very much to accept the invitation. +Perrine insisted.</p> + +<p>"Do come; I shall be so pleased," she said. "I am so lonesome."</p> + +<p>"Well, really...." began Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dine with me; that is settled," said Perrine, brightly; "but you +must bring your own spoon, because I shall not have the time nor the +tin to make another one."</p> + +<p>"Shall I bring my bread also? I can...."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would. I'll wait for you in the gypsy's ground. You'll +find me doing my cooking."</p> + +<p>Perrine was very pleased at the thought of receiving a guest in her +own home ... there was a menu to compose, provisions to find ... what +an affair! She felt quite important. Who would have said a few days +before that she would be able to offer dinner to a friend!</p> + +<p>But there was a serious side. Suppose she could not find any eggs or +catch a fish! Her menu then would be reduced to sorrel soup only. What +a dinner!</p> + +<p>But fortune favored her. On Friday evening she found some eggs. True, +they were only water-hen's eggs, and not so large as the duck's eggs, +but then she must not be too particular. And she was just as lucky +with her fishing. With a red worm on the end of her line, she managed +to catch a fine perch, which was quite sufficient to satisfy hers<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> and +Rosalie's appetite. Yet, however, she wanted a dessert, and some +gooseberries growing under a weeping willow furnished it. True, they +were not quite ripe, but the merit of this fruit is that you can eat +it green.</p> + +<p>When, late Sunday afternoon, Rosalie arrived at the gypsy camping +ground, she found Perrine seated before her fire upon which the soup +was boiling.</p> + +<p>"I waited for you to mix the yolk of an egg in the soup," said +Perrine. "You have only to turn it with your free hand while I gently +pour the soup over it; the bread is soaked."</p> + +<p>Although Rosalie had dressed herself specially for this dinner, she +was not afraid to help. This was play, and it all seemed very amusing +to her.</p> + +<p>Soon the soup was ready, and it only had to be carried across to the +island. This Perrine did.</p> + +<p>The cabin door was open, and Rosalie could see before she entered that +the place was filled with flowers. In each corner were grouped, in +artistic showers, wild roses, yellow iris, cornflowers, and poppies, +and the floor was entirely covered with a beautiful soft green moss.</p> + +<p>Rosalie's exclamations of delight amply repaid Perrine for all the +trouble she had taken.</p> + +<p>"How beautiful! Oh, isn't it pretty!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>On a bed of fresh ferns two large flat leaves were placed opposite +each other; these were to serve for plates; and on a very much larger +leaf, long and narrow, which is as it should be for a dish, the perch<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +was placed, garnished with a border of watercress. Another leaf, but +very small, served as a salt-cellar, also another holding the dessert. +Between each dish was a white anemone, its pure whiteness standing out +dazzlingly against the fresh verdure.</p> + +<p>"If you will sit down...." said Perrine, extending her hand. And when +they had taken their seats opposite one another the dinner commenced.</p> + +<p>"How sorry I should have been if I hadn't have come," said Rosalie, +speaking with her mouth full; "it is so pretty and so good."</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't you have come?"</p> + +<p>"Because they wanted to send me to Picquigny for Mr. Bendit; he is +ill."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with him?"</p> + +<p>"He's got typhoid fever. He's very ill. Since yesterday he hasn't +known what he's been talking about, and he doesn't know anybody. And I +had an idea about you...."</p> + +<p>"Me! What about me?"</p> + +<p>"Something you can do...."</p> + +<p>"If there is anything I can do for Mr. Bendit I'd be only too willing. +He was kind to me; but I'm only a poor girl; I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"Give me a little more fish and some more watercress, and I'll +explain," said Rosalie. "You know that Mr. Bendit has charge of the +foreign correspondence; he translates the English and German letters. +Naturally, as he is off his head now, he can't translate. They wanted +to get somebody else to replace him, but as this other man might take +his<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> place after he is +better (that is, if he does get better), M. +Fabry and M. Mombleux have taken charge of the work, so that he will +be sure to have his job when he's up again. But now M. Fabry has been +sent away to Scotland and M. Mombleux is in a fix, because, although +he can read German all right, he's not much on English. If the writing +isn't very clear he can't make out the letters at all. I heard him +saying so at the table when I was waiting on them. So I thought I'd +tell him that you can speak English just as good as you can French."</p> + +<p>"I spoke French with my father, and English with my mother," said +Perrine, "and when we were all three talking together we spoke +sometimes one, sometimes the other, mixing two languages without +paying attention."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't sure whether I should say anything about you or not, but now +I will, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Why, yes; do, if you think a poor girl like me could be of any use to +them."</p> + +<p>"'Tain't a question of being a poor girl or a young lady; it's a +question of knowing English," said Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"I speak it, but to translate a business letter is another thing," +said Perrine, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"It'll be all right with M. Mombleux; he knows the business part."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, tell him I shall be very pleased if I can do anything for +M. Bendit."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell him."</p> + +<p>The perch, although a large one, had all been<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> eaten, and all the +watercress had disappeared. It was now time for the dessert. Perrine +got up and replaced the fish plates with smaller leaf plates in the +shape of a cup; she had picked the prettiest, with variegated shades, +and marked as exquisitely as enameled ware. Then she offered her guest +the gooseberries.</p> + +<p>"Let me offer you some fruit from my own garden," she said, laughing, +as though she were playing at keeping doll's house.</p> + +<p>"Where is your garden?"</p> + +<p>"Over your head. There is a gooseberry bush growing in the branches of +this willow tree which holds up the cabin, so it seems."</p> + +<p>"You know you won't be able to live in here much longer," said +Rosalie.</p> + +<p>"Until the winter, I think."</p> + +<p>"Until winter! Why, the bird catchers will need this place pretty +soon; that I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh! ... Oh, dear ... Oh, dear!"</p> + +<p>The day, which had begun so brightly for Perrine, ended sadly. That +night was certainly the worst Perrine had passed since she had been on +her little island.</p> + +<p>Where should she go?</p> + +<p>And all her utensils that she had taken such trouble to make; what +should she do with them?<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h4>AURELIE'S CHANCE</h4> + +<p class="cap">IF ROSALIE had not spoken to Perrine of the near opening of the +shooting season for water fowl, Perrine would have stayed on in her +cabin unaware of the danger that might come to her. Although this news +came as a blow to her, what Rosalie had said about M. Bendit and the +translations she might do for M. Mombleux gave her something else to +think about.</p> + +<p>Yes, her island was charming, and it would be a great grief for her to +leave it. And yet here was an opportunity where she could be useful to +two valued employés at the factory, and this step would lead to other +steps, and it would open doors perhaps through which she could pass +later. This was something that she should consider above all else, +even above the sorrow of being dispossessed of her little kingdom. It +was not for this game—robbing nests, catching fish, picking flowers, +listening to the birds sing—that she had endured all the misery and +fatigue of her long journey. She had an object in view. She must +remember what her mother told her to do, and do it.</p> + +<p>She had told Rosalie that she would call at Mother Françoise's house +on Monday to see if Mombleux<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> had need of her +services. Rosalie came to meet her and said that as no letters had come +from England that Monday, there would not be any translations to make that +day, but perhaps there would be something for the next day. This was at the +luncheon hour, so Perrine returned to the factory. It had just struck two +when Ninepin hopped up to her on his wooden leg and told her that she was +wanted at the offices at once.</p> + +<p>"What for?" she asked in amazement.</p> + +<p>"What's that to do with me? They just sent word for you to go to the +office ... go on," he said, roughly.</p> + +<p>She hurried off. She could not understand. If it was a matter of +helping Mombleux with a translation, why should she have to go to the +office, where everyone could see her and know that he had had to ask +for her help?</p> + +<p>She quickly went up the steps, where she saw Talouel standing outside +waiting for her.</p> + +<p>"Are you the girl who speaks English?" he asked. "Now, no lies, 'cause +you speak French without an accent."</p> + +<p>"My mother was English and my father was French," replied Perrine, "so +I speak both languages."</p> + +<p>"Good. You are to go to Saint-Pipoy. Monsieur Paindavoine wants you."</p> + +<p>She was so surprised at this news that she stood staring at the +manager in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Well, stupid?" he said.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>As though to excuse herself, she said:</p> + +<p>"I was taken aback. I'm a stranger here and I don't know where +Saint-Pipoy is."</p> + +<p>"You won't be lost; you are to go in the carriage," said the manager. +"Here, William...."</p> + +<p>M. Paindavoine's horse and carriage, which had been standing in the +shade, now drew up.</p> + +<p>"Here's the girl," said the manager to a young man. "Take her to M. +Paindavoine quickly."</p> + +<p>Perrine was already down the steps, and was about to take her seat +beside William when he stopped her with a sign of his hand.</p> + +<p>"Not here; take the back seat," he said.</p> + +<p>There was a narrow seat for one person at the back. She got up into it +and they started off at a brisk trot.</p> + +<p>When they had left the village behind William, slacking the horse's +speed, turned round to Perrine.</p> + +<p>"You're going to have a chance to please the boss," he said.</p> + +<p>"How so?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"He's got some English mechanics come over to put a machine together, +and they can't understand each other. He's got M. Mombleux there, who +says he can speak English, but if he does it isn't the same English as +these Englishmen speak. They keep on jabbering, but don't seem to +understand, and the boss is mad. It makes you split your sides to hear +'em. At last M. Mombleux couldn't go on any longer, and to calm the +boss he said that he knew of a girl named Aurelie in the factory who +spoke<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> English, and the +boss made me come off at once for you."</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence; then he turned round again to Perrine.</p> + +<p>"If you speak English like M. Mombleux," he said mockingly, "perhaps +it'd be better if you didn't go any farther.</p> + +<p>"Shall I put you down?" he added with a grin.</p> + +<p>"You can go on," said Perrine, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was just thinking for you; that's all," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you; but I wish to go on, please."</p> + +<p>Yet in spite of her apparent coolness, little Perrine was very +nervous, because, although she was sure of her English, she did not +know what sort of English the engineer spoke. As William had said +mockingly, it was not the same that M. Mombleux understood. And she +fully realized that there would be many technical words that she would +not be able to translate. She would not understand, and she would +hesitate, and then probably M. Paindavoine would be angry with her, +the same as he had been with M. Mombleux.</p> + +<p>Above the tops of the poplars she could already see the great smoking +chimneys of the factories of Saint-Pipoy. She knew that spinning and +weaving were done here, the same as at Maraucourt, and, besides that, +it was here that they manufactured red rope and string. But whether +she knew that or not, it was nothing that would help her in the task +before her.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p>They turned the bend of the road. With a sweeping glance she could +take in all the great buildings, and although these works were not so +large as those of Maraucourt, they were nevertheless of considerable +importance.</p> + +<p>The carriage passed through the great iron gates and soon stopped +before the main office.</p> + +<p>"Come with me," said William.</p> + +<p>He led her into an office where M. Paindavoine was seated talking to +the manager of the Saint-Pipoy works.</p> + +<p>"Here's the girl, sir," said William, holding his hat in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Very well; you can go," said his master.</p> + +<p>Without speaking to Perrine, M. Paindavoine made a sign to his manager +to come nearer to him. Then he spoke to him in a low voice. The +manager also dropped his voice to answer. But Perrine's hearing was +keen, and she understood that they were speaking of her. She heard the +manager reply: "A young girl, about twelve or thirteen, who looks +intelligent."</p> + +<p>"Come here, my child," said M. Paindavoine, in the same tone that she +had already heard him use to Rosalie, and which was very different +from that which he used for his employés.</p> + +<p>She felt encouraged and went up to him.</p> + +<p>"What is your name?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Aurelie."</p> + +<p>"Where are your father and mother?"</p> + +<p>"They are both dead."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How long have you been in my employ?"</p> + +<p>"For three weeks."</p> + +<p>"Where do you come from?"</p> + +<p>"I have just come from Paris."</p> + +<p>"You speak English?"</p> + +<p>"My mother was English, and I can speak in conversation, and I +understand, but...."</p> + +<p>"There are no 'buts'; you know or you do not know."</p> + +<p>"I don't know the words used in various trades, because they use words +that I have never heard, and I don't know the meaning of them," said +Perrine.</p> + +<p>"You see, Benoist," said M. Paindavoine quickly; "what this little +girl says is so; that shows she is not stupid."</p> + +<p>"She looks anything but that," answered Benoist.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps we shall be able to manage somehow," said M. Vulfran. +He got up, and placing one arm on the manager, he leaned on his cane +with the other.</p> + +<p>"Follow us, little girl," he said.</p> + +<p>Perrine usually had her eyes about her and noticed everything that +happened, but she took no heed where she was going. As she followed in +her grandfather's footsteps, she was plunged in thought. What would be +the result of this interview with the English mechanics?</p> + +<p>They came to a big red brick building. Here she saw Mombleux walking +back and forth, evidently in a bad humor, and it seemed to her that he +threw her anything but a friendly look.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<p>They went in and were taken up to the first floor. Here in a big hall +stood a number of wooden crates bearing a firm's name, "Morton and +Pratt, Manchester." On one of the crates the Englishmen were sitting, +waiting. Perrine noticed that from their dress they had every +appearance of being gentlemen, and she hoped that she would be able +better to understand them than if they had been rough workingmen. When +M. Vulfran entered they rose.</p> + +<p>"Tell them that you can speak English and that they can explain to +you," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>She did what she was told, and at the first words she had the +satisfaction of seeing the Englishmen's faces brighten. It is true she +only spoke a few words to begin the conversation, but the pleasant +smile they gave her banished all her nervousness.</p> + +<p>"They understand her perfectly," said the manager.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, ask them," said M. Vulfran, "why they have come a week +earlier than the date arranged for their coming, because it so happens +that the engineer who was to direct them in their work, and who speaks +English, is away for a few days."</p> + +<p>Perrine translated the phrase accurately, and one of the men answered +at once.</p> + +<p>"They say," she said, "that they have been to Cambrai and put up some +machinery, and they got through with their work quicker than they +thought they would, so they came here direct instead of<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> going back to +England and returning again."</p> + +<p>"Whose machinery were they working on at Cambrai?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"It was for the M. M. and E. Aveline and Company."</p> + +<p>"What were the machines?"</p> + +<p>The question was put and the reply was given in English, but Perrine +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Why do you hesitate?" asked M. Vulfran, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Because it's a word used in the business that I don't know," answered +Perrine, timidly.</p> + +<p>"Say the word in English."</p> + +<p>"Hydraulic mangle."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said M. Vulfran. He repeated the word in English, +but with quite a different accent from the English mechanics, which +explains why he had not understood them when they had spoken the +words.</p> + +<p>"You see that Aveline and Company are ahead of us," he said, turning +to his manager. "We have no time to lose. I am going to cable to Fabry +to return at once; but while waiting we must persuade these young men +to get to work. Ask them what they are standing there for, little +girl."</p> + +<p>She translated the question, and the one who seemed to be the chief +gave her a long answer.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"They are saying some things that are very difficult for me to +understand."</p> + +<p>"However, try and explain to me."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They say that the floor is not strong enough to hold their machine, +which weighs...."</p> + +<p>She stopped to question the workmen in English, who told her the +weight.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that is it, is it?" said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"And when the machine is started going its weight will break the +flooring," she continued, turning to M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"The beams are sixty centimetres in width."</p> + +<p>She told the men what M. Vulfran said, listened to their reply, then +continued:</p> + +<p>"They say that they have examined the flooring, and that it is not +safe for this machine. They want a thorough test made and strong +supports placed under the floor."</p> + +<p>"The supports can be placed there at once, and when Fabry returns a +thorough examination will be made. Tell them that. Let them get to +work without losing a moment. They can have all the workmen they need +... carpenters and masons, millwrights. They have only to tell you. +You have to be at their service, and then you tell Monsieur Benoist +what they require."</p> + +<p>She translated these instructions to the men, who appeared satisfied +when she told them that she was to stay and interpret for them.</p> + +<p>"You will stay here," continued M. Vulfran. "Your food will be given +to you and also a lodging at the inn. You will have nothing to pay +there. And if we are pleased with you, you will receive something extra +when Monsieur Fabry returns."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h4>GRANDFATHER'S INTERPRETER</h4> + +<p class="cap">SHE was an interpreter; that was far better than pushing trucks. When +the day's work was over, acting in the capacity of interpreter, she +escorted the two Englishmen to the village inn and engaged a room for +them and one for herself, not a miserable garret where she would have +to sleep with several others, but a real bedroom all to herself. As +they could not speak one word of French, the two Englishmen asked her +if she would not take her dinner with them. They ordered a dinner that +would have been enough for ten men.</p> + +<p>That night she slept in a real bed and between real sheets, yet it was +a very long time before she could get to sleep. Even when her eyelids +grew too heavy to keep open her excitement was so great that every now +and then she would start up in bed. She tried to force herself to be +calm. She told herself that things would have to take their course, +without her wondering all the time if she were going to be happy or +not. That was the only sensible thing to do. Things seemed to be +taking such a favorable turn she must wait. But the best arguments +when<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> addressed to oneself +have never made anyone go to sleep, and the +better the argument the more likely one is to keep awake.</p> + +<p>The next morning, when the factory whistle blew, she went to the door +of the room occupied by the two machinists and knocked, and told them +it was time to get up.</p> + +<p>They paid no heed to the whistle, however, and it was not until they +had taken a bath and made an elaborate <i>toilette</i>, something unknown +to the villagers in those parts, and partaken of a hearty breakfast, +consisting of a thick, juicy steak, plenty of buttered toast and +several cups of tea, that they showed any readiness to get to their +work.</p> + +<p>Perrine, who had discreetly waited for them outside, wondered if they +would ever be ready. When at last they came out, and she tripped +behind them to the factory, her one thought was that her grandfather +would surely be there ahead of them.</p> + +<p>However, it was not until the afternoon that M. Vulfran arrived. He +was accompanied by his youngest nephew, Casimir.</p> + +<p>The youth looked disdainfully at the work the machinists had done, +which in truth was merely in preparation.</p> + +<p>"These fellows won't do much before Fabry returns," he said. "That's +not surprising considering the supervision you have given them, +uncle."</p> + +<p>He said this jeeringly, but instead of taking his words lightly, his +uncle reprimanded him severely: "If you had been able to attend to +this matter, I<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> should not have been +forced to have called in this little girl, who until now has only pushed trucks."</p> + +<p>Perrine saw Casimir bite his lip in anger, but he controlled himself +and said lightly: "If I had foreseen that I should have to give up a +government position for a commercial one, I should certainly have +learned English in preference to German."</p> + +<p>"It is never too late to learn," replied his uncle in a tone that +brooked no further parley.</p> + +<p>The quick words on both sides had been spoken in evident displeasure.</p> + +<p>Perrine had made herself as small as possible. She had not dared move, +but Casimir did not even turn his eyes in her direction, and almost at +once he went out, giving his arm to his uncle. Then she was able to +give free rein to her thoughts. How severe M. Vulfran was with his +nephew, but what a disagreeable, horrid youth was that nephew! If they +had any affection for one another it certainly was not apparent. Why +was it? Why wasn't this nephew kind to his old uncle, who was blind +and broken down with sorrow? And why was the old man so hard with a +nephew who was taking the place of his own son?</p> + +<p>While she was pondering these questions M. Vulfran returned, this time +being led in by the manager, who, having placed him in a seat, began +to explain to him the work that the machinists were now engaged upon.</p> + +<p>Some minutes later she heard M. Benoist calling: "Aurelie! Aurelie!" +<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>She did not move, for she had forgotten that Aurelie was the name that +she had given to herself.</p> + +<p>The third time he called: "Aurelie!"</p> + +<p>She jumped up with a start as she realized that that was the name by +which they knew her. She hurried over to them.</p> + +<p>"Are you deaf?" demanded Monsieur Benoist.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I was listening to the machinists."</p> + +<p>"You can leave me now," said M. Vulfran to his manager.</p> + +<p>When the manager had gone he turned to Perrine, who had remained +standing before him.</p> + +<p>"Can you read, my child?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"English as well as French?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, both the same."</p> + +<p>"But while reading English can you turn it into French?"</p> + +<p>"When the phrases are not too difficult; yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"The daily news from the papers, do you think you could do that?"</p> + +<p>"I have never tried that, because if I read an English paper there is +no need for me to translate it for myself, because I understand what +it says."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will try. Tell the machinists that when they want you they +can call you, and then come and read from an English paper some +articles that I wish to have read to me in French. Go and tell the men +and then come back and sit down here beside me."</p> + +<p>When she had done what she was told, she sat<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> down beside M. Vulfran +and took the newspaper that he handed her, "The Dundee News."</p> + +<p>"What shall I read?" she asked as she unfolded it.</p> + +<p>"Look for the commercial column."</p> + +<p>The long black and white columns bewildered poor little Perrine. She +was so nervous and her hands trembled so she wondered if she would +ever be able to accomplish what she was asked to do. She gazed from +the top of one page to the bottom of another, and still could not find +what she was seeking. She began to fear that her employer would get +impatient with her for being so slow and awkward.</p> + +<p>But instead of getting impatient he told her to take her time. With +that keen hearing so subtle with the blind, he had divined what a +state of emotion she was in. He could tell that from the rustling of +the newspaper she held in her hand.</p> + +<p>"We have plenty of time," he said, encouragingly; "besides I don't +suppose you have ever read a trade journal before."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I have not," she replied.</p> + +<p>She continued to scan the sheets, then suddenly she gave a little cry +of pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Have you found it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so."</p> + +<p>"Now look for these words," he said in English: "Linen, Hemp, Jute, +Sacks, Twine."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, you know English," she cried, involuntarily.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Five or six words of the trade; that is all, unfortunately," he +replied.</p> + +<p>When she had found what he required she commenced her translation, but +she was so hopelessly slow, hesitating and confused, that in a few +moments the beads of perspiration stood out on her forehead and hands +from sheer agony, despite the fact that from time to time he +encouraged her.</p> + +<p>"That will do. I understand that ... go on," he said.</p> + +<p>And she continued, raising her voice when the hammering blows from the +workmen became too loud.</p> + +<p>At last she came to the end of the column.</p> + +<p>"Now see if there is any news from Calcutta," said her employer.</p> + +<p>She scanned the sheets again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here it is," she said, after a moment; "From our special +correspondent."</p> + +<p>"That's it. Read!"</p> + +<p>"The news that we are receiving from Dacca...."</p> + +<p>Her voice shook so as she said this name that Monsieur Vulfran's +attention was attracted.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he said. "Why are you trembling?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she said, timidly; "perhaps I am nervous."</p> + +<p>"I told you not to mind," he chided. "You are doing very much better +than I thought."</p> + +<p>She read the cables from Dacca which mentioned<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> a gathering of jute +along the shores of the Brahmaputra. Then he told her to look and see +if there was a cable from Saint Helena.</p> + +<p>Her eyes ran up and down the columns until the words "Saint Helena" +caught her eye.</p> + +<p>"On the 23rd, the English steamer 'Alma' sailed from Calcutta for +Dundee; on the 24th, the Norwegian steamer 'Grundloven' sailed from +Naraingaudj for Boulogne."</p> + +<p>He appeared satisfied.</p> + +<p>"That is very good," he said. "I am quite pleased with you."</p> + +<p>She wanted to reply, but afraid that her voice would betray her joy, +she kept silent.</p> + +<p>"I can see that until poor Bendit is better I can make good use of +you," he continued.</p> + +<p>After receiving an account of the work that the men had done, and +telling them to be as quick as possible, he told Perrine to lead him +to the manager's office.</p> + +<p>"Have I to give you my hand?" she asked, timidly.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, my child," he replied. "How do you think you can guide me +otherwise? And warn me when there is anything in the way, and above +all don't be absent-minded."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I assure you, sir, you can place every confidence in me," she +said with emotion.</p> + +<p>"You see that I already have confidence," he replied.</p> + +<p>She took him gently by the left hand, whilst with<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> his right he held +his cane, feeling ahead of him cautiously as he went forward.</p> + +<p>They had scarcely left the workshops before they came to the railway +tracks, and she thought that she ought to warn him.</p> + +<p>"Here are the rails, just here," she said. "Please...."</p> + +<p>But he interrupted her.</p> + +<p>"That you need not tell me," he said. "I know every bit of the ground +round about the works; my head knows it and my feet know it, but it's +the unexpected obstacles that we might find on the road that you must +tell me about, something that's in the path that should not be. All +the ground I know, thoroughly."</p> + +<p>It was not only his grounds that he knew, but he knew his people also. +When he went through the yards his men greeted him. They not only took +their hats off as though he saw them, but they said his name.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, sir!... Good morning, Monsieur Vulfran!"</p> + +<p>And to a great number he was able to reply by their names: "Good +morning, Jacque!" ... "Good morning, Pascal!" He knew the voices of +all those who had long been in his employ. When he hesitated, which +was rarely, for he knew almost all, he would stop and say: "It's you, +is it not?" mentioning the speaker's name.</p> + +<p>If he made a mistake he explained why he had done so.</p> + +<p>Walking thus, it was a slow walk from the fac<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>tories to the offices. +She led him to his armchair; then he dismissed her.</p> + +<p>"Until tomorrow," he said; "I shall want you then."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h4>HARD QUESTIONS</h4> + +<p class="cap">THE next morning, at the same hour as on the previous day, Monsieur +Paindavoine entered the workshops, guided by the manager. Perrine +wanted to go and meet him, but she could not at this moment as she was +busy transmitting orders from the chief machinist to the men who were +working for him—masons, carpenters, smiths, mechanics. Clearly and +without repetition, she explained to each one what orders were given +to him; then she interpreted for the chief machinist the questions or +objections which the French workmen desired to address to him.</p> + +<p>Perrine's grandfather had drawn near. The voices stopped as the tap of +his cane announced his approach, but he made a sign for them to +continue the same as though he were not there.</p> + +<p>And while Perrine, obeying him, went on talking with the men, he said +quietly to the manager, though not low enough but that Perrine heard:</p> + +<p>"Do you know, that little girl would make a fine engineer!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the manager; "it's astonishing how decided and confident +she is with the men."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she can do something else. Yesterday<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> she translated the +'Dundee News' more intelligently than Bendit. And it was the first +time that she had read trade journal stuff."</p> + +<p>"Does anyone know who her parents were?" asked the manager.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Talouel does; I do not," said Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"She is in a very miserable and pitiful condition," said the manager.</p> + +<p>"I gave her five francs for her food and lodging."</p> + +<p>"I am speaking of her clothes. Her waist is worn to threads; I have +never seen such a skirt on anybody but a beggar, and she certainly +must have made the shoes she is wearing herself."</p> + +<p>"And her face, what is she like, Benoist?"</p> + +<p>"Very intelligent and very pretty."</p> + +<p>"Hard looking or any signs of vice?"</p> + +<p>"No; quite the contrary. She has a very frank, honest look. She has +great eyes that look as though they could pierce a wall, and yet at +the same time they have a soft, trusting look."</p> + +<p>"Where in the world does she come from?"</p> + +<p>"Not from these parts, that's a sure thing."</p> + +<p>"She told me that her mother was English."</p> + +<p>"And yet she does not look English. She seems to belong to quite +another race, but she is very pretty; even with the old rags that she +is wearing the girl seems to have a strange sort of beauty. She must +have a strong character or some power, or why is it that these workmen +pay such attention to such a poor little ragged thing?"</p> + +<p>And as Benoist never missed a chance to flatter<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> his employer, he +added: "Undoubtedly without having even seen her you have guessed all +that I have told you."</p> + +<p>"Her accent struck me as being very cultured," replied Monsieur +Vulfran.</p> + +<p>Although Perrine had not heard all that the two men had said, she had +caught a few words, which had thrown her into a state of great +agitation. She tried to recover her self-control, for it would never +do to listen to what was being said behind her when the machinists and +workmen were talking to her at the same time. What would her employer +think if in giving her explanations in French he saw that she had not +been paying attention to her task.</p> + +<p>However, everything was explained to them in a manner satisfactory to +both sides. When she had finished, Monsieur Vulfran called to her: +"Aurelie!"</p> + +<p>This time she took care to reply quickly to the name which in the +future was to be hers.</p> + +<p>As on the previous day, he made her sit down beside him and gave her a +paper to translate for him into French. This time it was not the +"Dundee News," but the "Dundee Trade Report Association," which is an +official bulletin published on the commerce of jute. So without having +to search for any particular article, she read it to him from +beginning to end. Then, when the reading was over, as before, he asked +her to lead him through the grounds, but this time he began to +question her about herself.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You told me that you had lost your mother. How long ago was that?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Five weeks," she replied.</p> + +<p>"In Paris?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in Paris."</p> + +<p>"And your father?"</p> + +<p>"Father died six months before mother," she said in a low voice.</p> + +<p>As he held her hand in his he could feel it tremble, and he knew what +anguish she felt as he evoked the memory of her dead parents, but he +did not change the subject; he gently continued to question her.</p> + +<p>"What did your parents do?"</p> + +<p>"We sold things," she replied.</p> + +<p>"In Paris? Round about Paris?"</p> + +<p>"We traveled; we had a wagon and we were sometimes in one part of the +country, sometimes in another."</p> + +<p>"And when your mother died you left Paris?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because mother made me promise not to stay in Paris after she had +gone, but to go North where my father's people live."</p> + +<p>"Then why did you come here?"</p> + +<p>"When my mother died we had to sell our wagon and our donkey and the +few things we had, and all this money was spent during her illness. +When I left the cemetery after she was buried all the money I had was +five francs thirty-five centimes, which was<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> not enough for me to take +the train. So I decided to make the journey on foot."</p> + +<p>Monsieur Vulfran's fingers tightened over hers. She did not understand +this movement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, forgive me; I am boring you," she said. "I am telling you things +perhaps that are of no interest."</p> + +<p>"You are not boring me, Aurelie," said the blind man. "On the +contrary, I am pleased to know, what an honest little girl you are. I +like people who have courage, will, and determination, and who do not +easily give up. If I like finding such qualities in men, how much more +pleasure does it give me to find them in a girl of your age! So ... +you started with five francs thirty-five centimes in your pocket?..."</p> + +<p>"A knife, a piece of soap," continued little Perrine, "a thimble, two +needles, some thread and a map of the roads, that was all."</p> + +<p>"Could you understand the map?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had to know, because we used to travel all over the country. +That was the only thing that I kept of our belongings."</p> + +<p>The blind man stopped his little guide.</p> + +<p>"Isn't there a big tree here on the left?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, with a seat all around it," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Come along then; we'll be better sitting down."</p> + +<p>When they were seated she went on with her story. She had no occasion +to shorten it, for she saw that her employer was greatly interested.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You never thought of begging?" he asked, when she came to the time +when she had left the woods after being overtaken by the terrible +storm.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; never."</p> + +<p>"But what did you count upon when you saw that you could not get any +work?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't count on anything. I thought that if I kept on as long as I +had the strength I might find something. It was only when I was so +hungry and so tired that I had to give up. If I had dropped one hour +sooner all would have been over."</p> + +<p>Then she told him how her donkey, licking her face, had brought her +back to consciousness, and how the ragpicker had saved her from +starvation. Then passing quickly over the days she had spent with La +Rouquerie, she came to the day when she had made Rosalie's +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>"And Rosalie told me," she said, "that anyone who wants work can get +it in your factories. I came and they employed me at once."</p> + +<p>"When are you going on to your relations?"</p> + +<p>Perrine was embarrassed. She did not expect this question.</p> + +<p>"I am not going any further," she replied, after a moment's +hesitation. "I don't know if they want me, for they were angry with +father. I was going to try and be near them because I have no one +else, but I don't know if I shall be welcomed. Now that I have found +work, it seems to me that it would be better for me to stay here. What +will become of me if they turn me away? I know I shall not starve<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +here, and I am too afraid to go on the road again. I shall not let +them know that I am here unless some piece of luck comes my way."</p> + +<p>"Didn't your relatives ever try to find out about you?" asked M. +Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"No, never," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, perhaps you are right," he said. "Yet if you don't like +to take a chance and go and see them, why don't you write them a +letter? They may not be able to give you a home, so then you could +stay here where you'd be sure of earning your living. On the other +hand, they may be very glad to have you, and you would have love and +protection, which you would not have here. You've learned already that +life is very hard for a young girl of your age, and in your position +... and very sad."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I know it is very sad," said little Perrine, lifting her +beautiful eyes to the sightless eyes of her grandfather. "Every day I +think how sad it is, and I know if they would hold out their arms to +welcome me I would run into them so quickly! But suppose they were +just as cold and hard to me as they were with my father...."</p> + +<p>"Had these relations any serious cause to be angry with your father? +Did he do anything very bad?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot think," said little Perrine, "that my father, who was always +so good and kind, and who loved me and mother so much, could have ever +been bad. He could not have done anything very wrong,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> and yet his +people must have had, in their opinion, serious reasons for being +angry with him, it seems to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, evidently," said the blind man. "But what they have against him +they could not hold against you. The sins of the father should not +fall upon the children."</p> + +<p>"If that could be true!"</p> + +<p>She said these words in a voice that trembled so with emotion that the +blind man was surprised at the depths of this little girl's feelings.</p> + +<p>"You see," he said, "how in the depths of your heart how much you want +their love and affection."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but how I dread being turned away," she replied.</p> + +<p>"But why should you be?" he asked. "Have your grandparents any other +children beside your father?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't they be glad that you should come and take the place of +the son they have lost? You don't know what it is to be alone in the +world."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do ... I know only too well what it is," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Youth who has a future ahead is not like old age, which has nothing +before it but Death."</p> + +<p>She looked at him. She did not take her eyes from his face, for he +could not see her. What did his words mean? From the expression of his +face little Perrine tried to read the inmost thoughts that stirred +this old man's heart.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well," he said, after waiting a moment, "what do you think you will +do?"</p> + +<p>"I hesitate because I feel so bad about it," she said. "If I could +only believe that they would be glad to have me and would not turn me +away...."</p> + +<p>"You know nothing of life, poor little girl," said the old gentleman. +"Age should not be alone any more than youth."</p> + +<p>"Do you think all old people feel like that?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"They may not think that it is so, but they feel it."</p> + +<p>"You think so?" she said, trembling, her eyes still fixed on his face.</p> + +<p>He did not reply directly, but speaking softly as though to himself, +he said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; they feel it...."</p> + +<p>Then getting up from his seat abruptly, as though to drive away +thoughts that made him feel sad, he said in a tone of authority: "Come +across to the offices. I wish to go there."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h4>SECRETARY TO M. VULFRAN</h4> + +<p class="cap">WHEN would Fabry, the engineer, return? That was the question that +Perrine anxiously asked herself, for on that day her role of +interpreter to the English machinists would terminate.</p> + +<p>That of translator of newspaper articles to M. Vulfran, would that +continue until M. Bendit had recovered from his illness? Here was +another question that made her even still more anxious.</p> + +<p>It was on Thursday, when she reached the factories with the two +machinists, that she found Monsieur Fabry in the workshop busy +inspecting the work that had already been done. Discreetly she waited +at a distance, not taking part in any of the explanations that were +being made, but all the same the chief machinist drew her into the +conversation.</p> + +<p>"Without this little girl's help," he said, "we should have stood here +waiting with our arms folded."</p> + +<p>Monsieur Fabry then looked at her, but he said nothing, and she on her +side did not dare ask him what she had to do now, whether she was to +stay at Saint-Pipoy or return to Maraucourt.</p> + +<p>She stood there undecided, thinking that as it was<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> M. Vulfran who had +sent for her, it would be he who would send her away or keep her.</p> + +<p>He came at his usual hour, led by the manager, who gave him an account +of the orders that the engineer had given and the observations that he +had made. But it appeared that he was not completely satisfied.</p> + +<p>"It is a pity that the little girl is not here," he said in annoyance.</p> + +<p>"But she is here," replied the manager, making a sign to Perrine to +approach.</p> + +<p>"Why was it you did not go back to Maraucourt, girl?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I thought that I ought not to leave here until you told me to go +back," she replied.</p> + +<p>"That was quite right," he said. "You must be here waiting for me when +I come...."</p> + +<p>He stopped for a second, then went on: "And I shall also need you at +Maraucourt. You can go back this evening, and tomorrow be at the +office. I will tell you what you will have to do."</p> + +<p>When she had interpreted the orders which he wished to give to the +machinists, he left, and that day she was not required to read the +newspapers.</p> + +<p>But what did that matter? Hadn't her grandfather said that on the +morrow he would need her at Maraucourt?</p> + +<p>"I shall need you at Maraucourt!" She kept repeating these words over +and over again as she tramped along the roads over which William had +driven her in the trap.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + +<p>How was she going to be employed? She imagined all sorts of ways, but +she could not feel certain of anything, except that she was not to be +sent back to push trucks. That was a sure thing; for the rest she +would have to wait. But she need not wait in a state of feverish +anxiety, for from her grandfather's manner she might hope for the +best. If she, a poor little girl, could only have enough wisdom to +follow the course that her mother had mapped out for her before dying, +slowly and carefully, without trying to hasten events, her life, which +she held in her own hands, would be what she herself made it. She must +remember this always, in everything she said, every time she had to +make a resolution, every time she took a step forward, and each time +she took this step she must take it without asking advice of anyone.</p> + +<p>On her way back to Maraucourt she turned all this over in her little +head. She walked slowly, stopping when she wanted to pick a flower +that grew beneath the hedge, or when, in looking over a fence, she +could see a pretty one that seemed to be beckoning to her from the +meadow. Now and again she got rather excited; then she would quicken +her step; then she slowed up again, telling herself that there was no +occasion for her to hurry. Here was one thing she had to do—she must +make it a rule, make it a habit, not to give way to an impulse. Oh, +she would have to be very wise. Her pretty face was very grave as she +walked along, her hands full of lovely wild flowers.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>She found her island the same as she had left it, each thing in its +place. The birds had even shown respect for the berries beneath the +willow tree which had ripened in her absence. Here was something for +her supper. She had not counted upon having berries.</p> + +<p>She had returned at an earlier hour than when she had left the +factory, so she did not feel inclined to go to bed as soon as her +supper was over. She sat by the pond in the quiet of the evening, +watching the night slowly fall.</p> + +<p>Although she had been away only a short time, something seemed to have +occurred to disturb the quietness of her little shelter. In the fields +there was no longer the solemn silence of the night which had struck +her on the first days that she had installed herself on the island. +Previously, all she could hear in the entire valley, on the pond, in +the big trees and the foliage, was the mysterious rustling of the +birds as they returned to the nests for the night. Now the silence was +disturbed by all kinds of noises—the blow of the forge, the grind of +the axle, the swish of a whip, and the murmur of voices.</p> + +<p>As she had tramped along the roads from Saint-Pipoy she had noticed +that the harvest had commenced in the fields that were most exposed, +and soon the mowers would come as far as her little nook, which was +shaded by the big trees.</p> + +<p>She would certainly have to leave her tiny home; it would not be +possible for her to live there longer.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> Whether she had to leave on +account of the harvesters or the bird catchers, it was the same thing, +just a matter of days.</p> + +<p>Although for the last few days she had got used to having sheets on +her bed, and a room with a window, and closed doors, she slept that +night on her bed of ferns as though she had never left it, and it was +only when the sun rose in the heavens that she awoke.</p> + +<p>When she reached the factory, instead of following her companions to +where the trucks stood, she made her way to the general offices, +wondering what she should do—go in, or wait outside.</p> + +<p>She decided to do the latter. If they saw her standing outside the +doors, someone would see her and call her in.</p> + +<p>She waited there for almost an hour. Finally she saw Talouel, who +asked her roughly what she was doing there.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran told me to come this morning to the office to see +him," she said.</p> + +<p>"Outside there, is not the office," he said.</p> + +<p>"I was waiting to be called in," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Come up then."</p> + +<p>She went up the steps, following him in.</p> + +<p>"What did you do at Saint-Pipoy?" he asked, turning to look at her.</p> + +<p>She told him in what capacity M. Vulfran had employed her.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Fabry then had been messing up things?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean—you don't know? Are you a silly?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe I am."</p> + +<p>"You're not, and you know it; and if you don't reply it's because you +don't want to. Don't forget who is talking to you; do you know what I +am here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the foreman."</p> + +<p>"That means the master. And as your master you do as I tell you. I am +going to know all. Those who don't obey I fire! Remember that!"</p> + +<p>This was indeed the man whom she had heard the factory girls talking +about when she had slept in that terrible room at Mother Françoise's. +The tyrant who wanted to be everything in the works, not only at +Maraucourt, but at Saint-Pipoy, at Bacourt, at Flexelles, everywhere, +and who would employ any means to uphold his authority, even disputing +it with that of Monsieur Vulfran's.</p> + +<p>"I ask you what Monsieur Fabry has been doing?" he asked, lowering his +voice.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you because I do not know myself. But I can tell you +what observations Monsieur Vulfran had me interpret for the +machinists."</p> + +<p>She repeated what she had had to tell the men without omitting a +single thing.</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"That is all."</p> + +<p>"Did Monsieur Vulfran make you translate his letters?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, he did not. I only read some articles from the 'Dundee News' and +a little paper all through; it was called the 'Dundee Trades Report +Association.'"</p> + +<p>"You know if you don't tell me the truth, all the truth, I'll get it +pretty quick, and then ... Ouste! off you go."</p> + +<p>"Why should I not speak the truth?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"It's up to you to do so," he retorted. "I've warned you ... +remember."</p> + +<p>"I'll remember," said Perrine, "I assure you."</p> + +<p>"Very good. Now go and sit down on that bench over there. If the boss +really needs you he'll remember that he told you to come here this +morning. He is busy talking to some of his men now."</p> + +<p>She sat on the bench for almost an hour, not daring to move so long as +Talouel was near. What a dreadful man! How afraid she was of him! But +it would never do to let him see that she was afraid. He wanted her to +spy on her employer, and then tell him what was in the letters that +she translated for him!</p> + +<p>This indeed might well scare her, yet there was something to be +pleased about. Talouel evidently thought that she would have the +letters to translate; that meant that her grandfather would have her +with him all the time that M. Bendit was ill.</p> + +<p>While she sat there waiting she caught sight of William several times. +When he was not fulfilling the duties of coachman he acted as useful +man to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> M. Vulfran. +Each time that he appeared on the scene Perrine +thought that he had come to fetch her, but he passed without saying a +word to her. He seemed always in a hurry.</p> + +<p>Finally some workingmen came out of M. Vulfran's office with a very +dissatisfied expression on their faces. Then William came and beckoned +to her and showed her into M. Vulfran's office. She found her +grandfather seated at a large table covered with ledgers, at the side +of which were paper weights stamped with large letters in relief. In +this way the blind man was able to find what his eyes could not see.</p> + +<p>Without announcing her, William had pushed Perrine inside the room and +closed the door after her. She waited a moment, then she thought that +she had better let M. Vulfran know that she was there.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur," she said, "I am here ... Aurelie."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "I recognized your step. Come nearer and listen to me. +I am interested in you. You have told me your troubles and I think you +have been very courageous. From the translations that you have made +for me, and the manner in which you have acted as interpreter for the +machinists, I see that you are intelligent. Now that I am blind, I +need someone to see for me, to tell me about things I wish to know, +and also about things that strike them also. I had hoped that William +would have been able to do this for me, but unfortunately he drinks +too much and I can't keep him.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, would you like to take the position that he has been unable to +hold? To commence with, you will have ninety francs a month. If I am +pleased with you I may do more for you."</p> + +<p>Overwhelmed with joy, Perrine stood before the blind man unable to say +a word.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you speak?" he said at last.</p> + +<p>"I can't ... I don't know what to say ... to thank you," she said. Her +voice broke. "I feel so...."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," he said. "I know how you feel. Your voice tells me that. I +am pleased. That is as good as a promise that you will do all you can +to give me satisfaction. Now let us change the subject. Have you +written to your grandparents?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Perrine, hesitatingly; "I ... I did not have any paper."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well. You will be able to find all you need in Monsieur +Bendit's office. When you write tell them exactly what position you +occupy in my employ. If they have anything better to offer you, they +will send for you; if not, they will let you remain here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly ... I am sure I shall stay...."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so. I think it will be best for you. As you will be in +the offices, you will be in communication with my employés; you can +take my orders to them, and you will also have to go out with me, so +in that case you cannot wear your factory clothes, which Monsieur +Benoist tells me are rather shabby."</p> + +<p>"They are in rags," said Perrine; "but I assure<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> you, sir, it is not +because I am lazy or that I don't care...."</p> + +<p>"I am sure of that," replied M. Vulfran. "Now, as all that will be +changed, you go to the cashier in the counting house, and he will give +you a money order. You can go then to Madame Lachaise in the village +and get some clothes, some linen, hats and shoes; what you need...."</p> + +<p>Perrine was listening as though it were not an old blind man with a +grave face that was speaking, but a beautiful fairy who was holding +over her her magic wand.</p> + +<p>She was silent. Then his voice recalled her to the reality.</p> + +<p>"You are free to choose what you like, but bear in mind the choice you +make will guide me in acquiring a knowledge of your character. Now you +can go and see about your things at once. I shall not need you until +tomorrow."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h4>SUSPICION AND CONFIDENCE</h4> + +<p class="cap">SHE went to the counting house, and after the chief cashier and his +clerks had eyed her from head to foot, she was handed the order which +M. Vulfran had said was to be given to her. She left the factory +wondering where she would find Madame Lachaise's shop.</p> + +<p>She hoped that it was the woman who had sold her the calico, because +as she knew her already, it would be less embarrassing to ask her +advice as to what she should buy, than it would be to ask a perfect +stranger. And so much hung on the choice she would make; her anxiety +increased as she thought of her employer's last words: "the choice you +make will guide me in acquiring a knowledge of your character."</p> + +<p>She did not need this warning to keep her from making extravagant +purchases, but then on the other hand, what she thought would be the +right things for herself, would her employer consider suitable? In her +fancy she had worn beautiful clothes, and when she was quite a little +girl she had been very proud to display her pretty things,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> but of +course dresses on this order would not be fitting for her now. The +simplest that she could find would be better.</p> + +<p>Who would have thought that the unexpected present of new clothes +could have filled her with so much anxiety and embarrassment. She knew +that she ought to be filled with joy and yet here she was greatly +worried and hesitating.</p> + +<p>Just near the church she found Mme. Lachaise's shop. It was by far the +best shop in Maraucourt. In the window there was a fine display of +materials, ribbons, lingerie, hats, jewels, perfumes, which aroused +the envy and tempted the greed of all the frivolous girls throughout +the surrounding villages. It was here where they spent their small +earnings, the same as their fathers and husbands spent theirs at the +taverns.</p> + +<p>When Perrine saw this display of finery she was still more perplexed +and embarrassed. She entered the shop and stood in the middle of the +floor, for neither the mistress of the establishment nor the milliners +who were working behind the counter seemed to think that the ragged +little girl required any attention. Finally Perrine decided to hold +out the envelope containing the order that she held in her hand.</p> + +<p>"What is it you want, little girl?" demanded Madame Lachaise.</p> + +<p>As she still held out the envelope the mistress of the store caught +sight of the words Maraucourt Factories, Vulfran Paindavoine in one of +the cor<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>ners. +The expression of her face changed at once, her smile +was very pleasant now.</p> + +<p>"What do you wish, Mademoiselle?" she asked, leaving her desk and +drawing forward a chair for Perrine. Perrine told her that she wanted +a dress, some underlinen, a pair of shoes and a hat.</p> + +<p>"We can supply you with all those," said Madame Lachaise, "and with +goods of the very best quality. Would you like to commence with the +dress? Yes. Very well then, I will show you some materials."</p> + +<p>But it was not materials that Perrine wished to see; she wanted a +ready-made dress. Something that she could put on at once, or at least +something that would be ready for her to wear the next day when she +went out with Monsieur Paindavoine.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you are going out with Monsieur Vulfran?" said Madame Lachaise +quickly; her curiosity was strung to its highest pitch at this +statement. She wondered what the all powerful master of Maraucourt +could have to do with this ragged little girl and she did not hesitate +to ask.</p> + +<p>But instead of replying to her question Perrine continued to explain +that she wanted to see some black dresses as she was in mourning.</p> + +<p>"You want a dress so as to be able to attend a funeral then?"</p> + +<p>"No, it is not for a funeral," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Well, you understand, Mademoiselle, if I know what you require the +dress for I shall be able to know what style, material, and price it +should be.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I want the plainest style," said little Perrine timidly, "and the +lightest but best wearing material, and the lowest price."</p> + +<p>"Very good, very good," replied Madame Lachaise, "they will show you +something. Virginie, attend to Mademoiselle."</p> + +<p>How her tone had changed! her manner also. With great dignity Madame +Lachaise went back to her seat at the desk, disdaining to busy herself +with a customer who had such small desires. She was probably one of +the servant's daughters, for whom Monsieur Vulfran was going to buy a +mourning outfit; but which servant?</p> + +<p>However as Virginie brought forward a cashmere dress trimmed with +passementerie and jet, she thought fit to interfere.</p> + +<p>"No, no, not that," she said. "That would be beyond the price. Show +her that black challis dress with the little dots. The skirt will be a +trifle too long and the waist too large, but it can easily be made to +fit her, besides we have nothing else in black."</p> + +<p>Here was a reason that dispensed with all others, but even though it +was too large, Perrine found the skirt and waist that went with it +very pretty, and the saleslady assured her that with a little +alteration is would suit her beautifully, and of course she had to +believe her.</p> + +<p>The choice for the stockings and undergarments was easier because she +wanted the least expensive, but when she stated that she only wanted +to pur<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>chase two pairs of +stockings and two chemises, Mlle. Virginie +became just as disdainful as her employer, and it was as though she +was conferring a favor that she condescended to try some shoes on +Perrine, and the black straw hat which completed the wardrobe of this +little simpleton.</p> + +<p>Could anyone believe that a girl would be such an idiot! She had been +given an order to buy what she wanted and she asked for two pairs of +stockings and two chemises. And when Perrine asked for some +handkerchiefs, which for a long time had been the object of her +desires, this new purchase, which was limited to three handkerchiefs, +did not help to change the shopkeeper's or the saleslady's contempt +for her.</p> + +<p>"She's nothing at all," they murmured.</p> + +<p>"And now shall we send you these things?" asked Mme. Lachaise.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," said Perrine, "I will call this evening and fetch +them when the alterations are made."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, don't come before eight o'clock or after nine," she was +told.</p> + +<p>Perrine had a very good reason for not wishing to have the things sent +to her. She was not sure where she was going to sleep that night. Her +little island was not to be thought of. Those who possess nothing can +dispense with doors and locks, but when one has riches ... for despite +the condescension of the shopkeeper and her assistant, these were +riches to Perrine and needed to be<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> guarded. So that night she would +have to take a lodging and quite naturally she thought of going to +Rosalie's grandmother. When she left Madame Lachaise's shop, she went +on her way to Mother Françoise's to see if she could accommodate her +and give her what she desired; that was a tiny little room that would +not cost much.</p> + +<p>As she reached the gate she met Rosalie coming out, walking quickly.</p> + +<p>"You're going out?" cried Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you ... so you are free then?"</p> + +<p>In a few hurried words they explained.</p> + +<p>Rosalie, who was going on an important errand to Picquigny, could not +return to her grandmother's at once, as she would have liked, so as to +make the best arrangements that she could for Perrine; but as Perrine +had nothing to do for that day, why shouldn't she go with her to +Picquigny; and they would come back together; it would be a pleasure +trip then.</p> + +<p>They went off gaily, and Rosalie accomplished her errand quickly, then +their pleasure trip commenced. They walked through the fields, +chatting and laughing, picked flowers, then rested in the heat of the +day under the shadows of the great trees. It was not until night that +they arrived back in Maraucourt. Not until Rosalie reached her +grandmother's gate did she realize what time it was.</p> + +<p>"What will Aunt Zenobie say?" she said half afraid.</p> + +<p>"Oh well...." began Perrine.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh well, I don't care," said Rosalie defiantly, "I've enjoyed myself +... and you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you who have people to talk to every day have enjoyed +yourself, how much more have I who never have anybody to talk to," +said Perrine ruefully.</p> + +<p>"I've had a lovely time," she sighed.</p> + +<p>"Well, then we don't care what anybody says," said Rosalie bravely.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, Aunt Zenobie was busy waiting on the boarders, so the +arrangements for the room was made with Mother Françoise, who did not +drive too hard a bargain and that was done quickly and promptly. Fifty +francs a month for two meals a day; twelve francs for a little room +decorated with a little mirror, a window, and a dressing table.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock Perrine dined alone in the general dining room, a +table napkin on her lap. At eight-thirty she went to Madame Lachaise's +establishment to fetch her dress and other things which were quite +ready for her. At nine o'clock, in her tiny room, the door of which +she locked, she went to bed, a little worried, a little excited, a +little hesitating, but, in her heart of hearts full of hope.</p> + +<p>Now we should see.</p> + +<p>What she did see the next morning when she was called into M. +Vulfran's office after he had given his orders to his principal +employés, was such a severe expression on his face that she was +thoroughly disconcerted; although the eyes that turned towards her as +she entered his room were<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> devoid of look, +she could not mistake the +expression on this face that she had studied so much.</p> + +<p>Certainly it was not the kind look of a benefactor, but quite the +reverse: it was an expression of displeasure and anger that she saw.</p> + +<p>What had she done wrong that he should be angry; with her?</p> + +<p>She put this question to herself but she could find no reply to it; +perhaps she had spent too much at Madame Lachaise's and her employer +had judged her character from these purchases. And in her selection +she had tried to be so modest and economical. What should she have +bought then? or rather what should she not have bought?</p> + +<p>But she had no more time to wonder, for her employer was speaking to +her in a severe tone:</p> + +<p>"Why did you not tell me the truth?" he said.</p> + +<p>"In what have I not told the truth?" she asked in a frightened voice.</p> + +<p>"In regard to your conduct since you came to this village."</p> + +<p>"But I assure you, Monsieur, I have told you the truth."</p> + +<p>"You told me that you lodged at Mother Françoise's house. And when you +left there where did you go? I may as well tell you that yesterday +Zenobie, that is Françoise's daughter, was asked to give some +information, some references of you, and she said that you only spent +one night in her mother's house, then you disappeared, and no one knew +what you did from that night until now."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> + +<p>Perrine had listened to the commencement of this cross examination in +afright, but as Monsieur Vulfran went on she grew braver.</p> + +<p>"There is someone who knows what I did after I left the room I used +at Mother Françoise's," she said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"Rosalie, her granddaughter, knows. She will tell you that what I am +now going to tell you, sir, is the truth. That is, if you think my +doings are worth knowing about."</p> + +<p>"The position that you are to hold in my service demands that I know +what you are," said Monsieur Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Well, Monsieur, I will tell you," said little Perrine. "When you know +you can send for Rosalie and question her without me seeing her, and +then you will have the proof that I have not deceived you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that can be done," he said in a softened voice, "now go on...."</p> + +<p>She told her story, dwelling on the horror of that night in that +miserable room, her disgust, how she was almost suffocated, and how +she crept outside at the break of dawn too sick to stay in that +terrible garret one moment longer.</p> + +<p>"Cannot you bear what the other girls could?" asked her employer.</p> + +<p>"The others perhaps have not lived in the open air as I have," said +Perrine, her beautiful eyes fixed on her grandfather's face. "I assure +you I am not<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> hard to please. +We were so poor that we endured great +misery. But I could not stay in that room. I should have died, and I +don't think it was wrong of me to try to escape death. I could not +live if I had to sleep there."</p> + +<p>"Why! can that room be so unhealthy, so unwholesome as that?" mused +Monsieur Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir," cried Perrine, "if you could see it you would never permit +your work girls to live there, never, never."</p> + +<p>"Go on with your story," he said abruptly.</p> + +<p>She told him how she had discovered the tiny island and how the idea +had come to her to take possession of the cabin.</p> + +<p>"You were not afraid?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I am not accustomed to being afraid," she said, with a wan little +smile flitting across her beautiful face.</p> + +<p>"You are speaking of that cabin in the valley there a little to the +side of the road to Saint-Pipoy, on the left, are you not?" asked +Monsieur Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Monsieur."</p> + +<p>"That belongs to me and my nephews use it. Was it there that you +slept?"</p> + +<p>"I not only slept there, but I worked there and I ate there, and I +even gave a dinner to Rosalie, and she can tell you about it," said +little Perrine eagerly, for now that she had told him her story she +wanted him to know everything. "I did not leave the cabin until you +sent for me to go to Saint-Pipoy, and then you told me to stay there +so as to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> be on hand to +interpret for the machinists. And now tonight +I have taken a lodging again at Mother Françoise's, but now I can pay +for a room all to myself."</p> + +<p>"Were you rich then, that you were able to invite a friend to dinner?" +asked the blind man.</p> + +<p>"If I only dare tell you," said Perrine timidly.</p> + +<p>"You can tell me everything," said the blind man.</p> + +<p>"I may take up your time just to tell you a story about two little +girls?" asked little Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Now that I cannot use my time as I should like," said the blind man +sadly, "it is often very long, very long ... and empty."</p> + +<p>A shade passed over her grandfather's face. He had so much; there were +men who envied him—and yet how sad and barren was his life. When he +said that his days were "empty" Perrine's heart went out to him. She +also, since the death of her father and mother, knew what it was for +the days to be long and empty, nothing to fill them but the anxiety, +the fatigue, and the misery of the moment. No one to share them with +you, none to uphold you, or cheer you. He had not known bodily +fatigue, privations and poverty. But they are not the only trials to +be borne, there are other sorrows in this world from which one +suffers. And it was those other sorrows that had made him say those +few words in such a sad, sad tone; the memory of which made this old +blind man bend his head while the tears sprang into his sightless +eyes. But no tears fell. Perrine's eyes had not left his face; if she +<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +had seen that her story did not interest him, she would have stopped +at once, but she knew that he was not bored. He interrupted her +several times and said:</p> + +<p>"And you did that!"</p> + +<p>Then he questioned her, asking her to tell him in detail what she had +omitted for fear of tiring him. He put questions to her which showed +that he wished to have an exact account, not only of her work, but +above all to know what means she had employed to replace all that she +had been lacking.</p> + +<p>"And that's what you did?" he asked again and again.</p> + +<p>When she had finished her story, he placed his hand on her head: "You +are a brave little girl," he said, "and I am pleased to see that one +can do something with you. Now go into your office and spend the time +as you like; at three o'clock we will go out."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h4>THE SCHEMERS</h4> + +<p class="cap">MR. BENDIT'S office which Perrine occupied was a tiny place whose sole +furniture consisted of a table and two chairs, a bookcase in +blackwood, and a map of the world.</p> + +<p>Yet with its polished pine floor, and a window with its red and white +shade, it appeared very bright to Perrine. Not only was the office +assigned to her cheerful, but she found that by leaving the door open +she could see and occasionally hear what was going on in the other +offices.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Vulfran's nephews, Theodore and Casimir, had their rooms on +the right and on the left of his; after theirs came the counting +house, then lastly, there was Fabry, the engineer's, office. This one +was opposite hers. Fabry's office was a large room where several +draughtsmen were standing up before their drawings, arranged on high +inclined desks.</p> + +<p>Having nothing to do and not liking to take M. Bendit's chair, Perrine +took a seat by the door. She opened one of the dictionaries which were +the only kind of books the office contained. She would have preferred +anything else but she had to be contented with what was there.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>The hours passed slowly, but at last the bell rang for luncheon. +Perrine was one of the first to go out. On the way she was joined by +Fabry and Mombleux. They also were going to Mother Françoise's house.</p> + +<p>"So then you are a comrade of ours, Mademoiselle," said Mombleux, who +had not forgotten his humiliation at Saint-Pipoy, and he wanted to +make the one who was the cause of it pay for it.</p> + +<p>She felt the sarcasm of his words and for a moment she was +disconcerted, but she recovered herself quickly.</p> + +<p>"No, Monsieur," she said quietly, "not of yours but of William's."</p> + +<p>The tone of her reply evidently pleased the engineer, for turning to +Perrine he gave her an encouraging smile.</p> + +<p>"But if you are replacing Mr. Bendit?" said Mombleux obstinately.</p> + +<p>"Say that Mademoiselle is keeping his job for him," retorted Fabry.</p> + +<p>"It's the same thing," answered Mombleux.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, for in a week or two, when he'll be better, he'll come +back in his old place. He certainly would not have had it if +Mademoiselle had not been here to keep it for him."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that you and I also have helped to keep it for him," +said Mombleux.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but this little girl has done her share; he'll have to be +grateful to all three of us," said Fabry, smiling again at Perrine.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> + +<p>If she had misunderstood the sense of Mombleux's words, the way in +which she was treated at Mother Françoise's would have enlightened +her. Her place was not set at the boarders' table as it would have +been if she had been considered their equal, but at a little table at +the side. And she was served after everyone else had taken from the +dishes what they required.</p> + +<p>But that did not hurt her; what did it matter to her if she were +served first or last, and if the best pieces had already been taken. +What interested her was that she was placed near enough to them to +hear their conversation. She hoped that what she heard might guide her +as to how she should act in the midst of the difficulties which +confronted her.</p> + +<p>These men knew the habits of M. Vulfran, his nephews, and Talouel, of +whom she stood so much in fear; a word from them would enlighten her +and she might be shown a danger which she did not even suspect, and if +she was aware of it she could avoid it. She would not spy upon them. +She would not listen at doors. When they were speaking they knew that +they were not alone. So she need have no scruples but could profit by +their remarks.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately on that particular morning they said nothing that +interested her; their talk was on insignificant matters. As soon as +she had finished her meal she hurried to Rosalie, for she wanted to +know how M. Vulfran had discovered that she had<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> only slept one night +at her grandmother's house.</p> + +<p>"It was that Skinny who came here while you were at Picquigny," said +Rosalie, "and he got Aunt Zenobie to talk about you; and you bet it +isn't hard to make Aunt Zenobie talk especially when she gets +something for doing so. She told him that you had spent only one night +here and all sorts of other things besides."</p> + +<p>"What other things?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know because I was not there, but you can imagine the worst, +but fortunately it has not turned out badly for you."</p> + +<p>"No, on the contrary it has turned out very well, because M. Vulfran +was amused and interested when I told him my story."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell Aunt Zenobie, that'll make her mad."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't put her against me."</p> + +<p>"Put her against you; oh, there's no danger of that now. She knows the +position that M. Vulfran has given you, you won't have a better friend +... seemingly. You'll see tomorrow. Only if you don't want that Skinny +to know your business, don't tell anything to her."</p> + +<p>"That I won't."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's sly enough."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but now you've warned me...."</p> + +<p>At three o'clock as arranged, M. Vulfran rang for Perrine and they +drove off in the phaeton to make the customary round of the factories, +for he did not let a single day pass without visiting the different +buildings.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although he could not see he could at least be seen, and when he gave +his orders it was difficult to believe that he was blind; he seemed to +know everything that was going on.</p> + +<p>That day they began at the village of Flexelles. They stayed some time +in the building and when they came out William was not to be seen. The +horse was tied to a tree and William, the coachman, had disappeared. +As soon as his employer had gone into his factories, William of +course, as usual, had hurried to the nearest wine shop ... meeting a +boon companion there he had forgotten the hour.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran sent one of his men off to search for his recalcitrant +coachman. After waiting several minutes, the blind man became very +angry. Finally William, with head held high, came staggering along.</p> + +<p>"I can tell by the sound of his footsteps that he is drunk, Benoist," +said M. Vulfran, addressing his manager, who stood beside him. "I am +right, am I not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir ... nothing can be hidden from you. He is drunk...."</p> + +<p>William began to apologize.</p> + +<p>"I've just come from...." he began, but his employer cut him short.</p> + +<p>"That is enough," said M. Vulfran, sternly. "I can tell by your breath +and the way you walk that you are drunk."</p> + +<p>"I was just going to say, sir," began William<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> again, as he untied the +horse, but at that moment he dropped the whip and stooping down, he +tried three times to grasp it. The manager looked grave.</p> + +<p>"I think it would be better if I drove you to Maraucourt," he said. "I +am afraid you would not be safe with William."</p> + +<p>"Why so?" demanded William insolently.</p> + +<p>"Silence," commanded M. Vulfran, in a tone that admitted of no reply. +"From this moment you can consider yourself dismissed from my +service."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, I was going to say...."</p> + +<p>With an uplifted motion of his hand M. Vulfran stopped him and turned +to his manager.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Benoist," he said, "but I think this little girl can drive +me home. Coco is as quiet as a lamb, and she can well replace this +drunken creature."</p> + +<p>He was assisted into the carriage, and Perrine took her place beside +him. She was very grave, for she felt the responsibility of her +position.</p> + +<p>"Not too quickly," said M. Vulfran, when she touched Coco with the end +of her whip.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please, sir, I don't want to go quickly, I assure you," she said, +nervously.</p> + +<p>"That's a good thing; let her just trot."</p> + +<p>There was a great surprise in the streets of Maraucourt when the +villagers saw the head of the firm seated beside a little girl wearing +a hat of black straw and a black dress, who was gravely driving old +Coco at a straight trot instead of the zigzag course that William +forced the old animal to take<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> in spite of herself. What was +happening? Where was this little girl going? They questioned one +another as they stood at the doors, for few people in the village knew +of her and of the position that M. Vulfran had given her.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at Mother Françoise's house, Aunt Zenobie was +leaning over the gate talking to two women. When she caught sight of +Perrine she stared in amazement, but her look of astonishment was +quickly followed by her best smile, the smile of a real friend.</p> + +<p>"Good day, Monsieur Vulfran! Good day, Mademoiselle Aurelie!" she +called out.</p> + +<p>As soon as the carriage had passed she told her neighbors how she had +procured the fine position for the young girl who had been their +boarder. She had recommended her so highly to Skinny.</p> + +<p>"She's a nice girl, though," she added, "and she'll not forget what +she owes us. She owes it all to us."</p> + +<p>If the villagers had been surprised to see Perrine driving M. Vulfran, +Talouel was absolutely stunned.</p> + +<p>"Where is William?" he cried, hurrying down the steps of the veranda +to meet his employer.</p> + +<p>"Sent off for continual drunkenness," said M. Vulfran, smiling.</p> + +<p>"I had supposed that you would take this step eventually," said +Talouel.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," replied his employer briefly.</p> + +<p>Talouel had established his power in the house by these two words, "I +suppose." His aim was to persuade his chief that he was so devoted to +his<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> interests that he +was able to foresee every wish that he might +have. So he usually began with these words, "I suppose that you +want...."</p> + +<p>He had the subtlety of the peasant, always on the alert, and his +quality for spying made him stop at nothing to get the information he +desired. M. Vulfran usually made the same reply when Talouel had +"supposed" something.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," the blind man would say.</p> + +<p>"And I suppose you find," continued Talouel, as he helped his employer +to get down, "that the one who has replaced him deserves your trust?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly," said the blind man again.</p> + +<p>"I'm not astonished," added the crafty Talouel. "The day when Rosalie +brought her here I thought there was something in her, and I was sure +you would soon find that out."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he looked at Perrine, and his look plainly said: "You see +what I've done for you. Don't forget it, and be ready to do me a +service."</p> + +<p>A demand of payment on this order was not long in coming.</p> + +<p>A little later, stopping before the door of the office in which +Perrine sat, he said in a low voice from the doorway:</p> + +<p>"Tell me what happened with William."</p> + +<p>Perrine thought that if she frankly replied to his question she would +not be revealing any serious matter, so she related exactly what had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"Ah, good," he said, more at ease. "Now, if he<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> should come to me and +ask to be taken back I'll settle with him."</p> + +<p>Later on Fabry and Mombleux put the same question to her, for everyone +now knew that little Perrine had had to drive the chief home because +his coachman had been too drunk to hold the reins.</p> + +<p>"It's a miracle that he hasn't upset the boss a dozen times," said +Fabry, "for he drives like a crazy creature when he's drunk. He should +have been sent off long ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he would have been," said Mombleux, smiling, "if certain +ones who wanted his help had not done all they could to keep him."</p> + +<p>Perrine became all attention.</p> + +<p>"They'll make a face when they see that he's gone, but I'll give +William his due: he didn't know that he was spying."</p> + +<p>They were silent while Zenobie came in to change the plates. They had +not thought that the pretty little girl in the corner was listening to +their conversation. After Zenobie had left the room they went on with +their talk.</p> + +<p>"But what if the son returns?" asked Mombleux.</p> + +<p>"Well, most of us want him back, for the old man's getting old," said +Fabry; "but perhaps he's dead."</p> + +<p>"That might be," agreed Mombleux. "Talouel's so ambitious he'd stop at +nothing. He wants to own the place, and he'll get it if he can."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and who knows? Maybe he had a hand in keeping M. Edmond away. +Neither of us were<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> here at the time, +but you might be sure that +Talouel would work out things to his own interests."</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and at that time he didn't know that there'd be others to take +the place of M. Edmond. I'm not sure what he's scheming to get, but +it's something big."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he's doing some dirty work for sure, and only think, when he +was twenty years old he couldn't write his own name."</p> + +<p>Rosalie came into the room at this moment and asked Perrine if she +would like to go on an errand with her. Perrine could not refuse. She +had finished her dinner some time ago, and if she remained in her +corner she would soon awaken their suspicions.</p> + +<p>It was a quiet evening. The people sat at their street doors chatting. +After Rosalie had finished her errand she wanted to go from one door +to another to gossip, but Perrine had no desire for this, and she +excused herself on the plea of being tired. She did not want to go to +bed. She just wanted to be alone, to think, in her little room, with +the door closed. She wanted to take a clear account of the situation +in which she now found herself.</p> + +<p>When she heard Fabry and Mombleux speaking of the manager she realized +how much she had to fear this man. He had given her to understand that +he was the master, and as such it was his right to be informed of all +that happened. But all that was nothing compared with what had been +revealed<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> to her in the conversation +that she had just heard.</p> + +<p>She knew that he wished to exercise his authority over everyone. But +she had not known that his ambition was to take her grandfather's +place some day. This man was scheming to replace the all-powerful +master of the Maraucourt factories; for years he had plotted with this +object in view. All this she had just learned. The two men whose +conversation she had overheard were in a position to know the facts. +And this terrible man, now that she had replaced William, intended +that she should spy upon his employer.</p> + +<p>What should she do? She was only a little girl, almost a child, and +there was no one to protect her. What should she do?</p> + +<p>She had asked herself this question before, but under different +circumstances. It was impossible for her to lie down, so nervous and +excited was she at what she had heard.</p> + +<p>Perhaps this dreadful man had schemed to keep her dear dead father +away from his home, and he was still working in an underhanded way for +what? Was he trying to get out of the way the two nephews who would +replace his master? If he had the power to do this, what might he not +do to her if she refused to spy for him?</p> + +<p>She spent the greater part of the night turning these questions over +in her little head. At last, tired out with the difficulties which +confronted her, she dropped her curly head on the pillow and slept.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h4>LETTERS FROM DACCA</h4> + +<p class="cap">THE first thing that M. Vulfran did upon reaching his office in the +morning was to open his mail. Domestic letters were arranged in one +pile and foreign letters in another. Since he had gone blind his +nephews or Talouel read the French mail aloud to him; the English +letters were given to Fabry and the German to Mombleux.</p> + +<p>The day following the conversation between Fabry and Mombleux which +had caused Perrine so much anxiety, M. Vulfran, his nephews and the +manager were occupied with the morning's mail. Suddenly Theodore +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"A letter from Dacca, dated May 29."</p> + +<p>"In French?" demanded M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"No, in English."</p> + +<p>"What signature?"</p> + +<p>"It's not very clear ... looks like Field. Fildes ... preceded by a +word that I can't make out. There are four pages. Your name occurs in +several places, uncle. Shall I give it to Fabry?"</p> + +<p>Simultaneously, Theodore and Talouel cast a quick look at M. Vulfran, +but catching each other in this act, which betrayed that each was +intensely curious, they both assumed an indifferent air.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm putting the letter on your table, uncle," said Theodore.</p> + +<p>"Give it to me," replied M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>When the stenographer had gone off with the replies to the various +letters, M. Vulfran dismissed his manager and his two nephews and rang +for Perrine.</p> + +<p>She appeared immediately.</p> + +<p>"What's in the letter?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She took the letter that he handed to her and glanced at it. If he +could have seen her he would have noticed that she had turned very +pale and that her hands trembled.</p> + +<p>"It is an English letter, dated May 29, from Dacca," she replied.</p> + +<p>"From whom?"</p> + +<p>"From Father Fields."</p> + +<p>"What does it say?"</p> + +<p>"May I read a few lines first, please ... before I tell you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but do it quickly."</p> + +<p>She tried to do as she was told, but her emotion increased as she read +... the words dancing before her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well?" demanded M. Vulfran, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"It is difficult to read," she murmured, "and difficult to understand; +the sentences are very long."</p> + +<p>"Don't translate literally; just tell me what it is about." +<a name="Page_218pic" id="Page_218pic"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;"> +<img src="images/illus05d.jpg" width="430" height="655" +alt="SHE TRIED TO DO AS SHE WAS TOLD, BUT HER EMOTION INCREASED AS SHE READ." +title="SHE TRIED TO DO AS SHE WAS TOLD, BUT HER EMOTION INCREASED AS SHE READ." /> +<span class="caption">SHE TRIED TO DO AS SHE WAS TOLD, BUT HER EMOTION INCREASED +AS SHE READ.</span> +</div> + +<p>There was another long pause; at last she said:</p> + +<p>"Father Fields says that Father Leclerc, to whom you wrote, is dead, +and that before dying he asked<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> him to send this reply to you. He +was unable to communicate with you before, as he had some difficulty +in getting together the facts that you desired. He excuses himself for +writing in English, as his knowledge of French is very slight."</p> + +<p>"What information does he send?" asked the blind man.</p> + +<p>"I have not come to that yet, sir," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>Although little Perrine gave this reply in a very gentle voice, the +blind man knew that he would gain nothing by hurrying her.</p> + +<p>"You are right," he said; "not being in French, you must understand it +thoroughly before you can explain it to me. You'd better take the +letter and go into Bendit's office; translate it as accurately as you +can, writing it out so that you can read it to me. Don't lose a +minute. I'm anxious to know what it contains."</p> + +<p>He called her back as she was leaving.</p> + +<p>"This letter relates to a personal matter," he said, "and I do not +wish anyone to know about it ... understand ... no one. If anyone +dares question you about it, you must say nothing, nor give them any +inkling of what it is about. You see what confidence I place in you. I +hope that you will prove yourself worthy of my trust. If you serve me +faithfully, you may be sure that you will be taken care of."</p> + +<p>"I promise you, sir, that I'll deserve your trust," said Perrine, +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Very well; now hurry."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>But hurry she could not. She read the letter from beginning to end, +then re-read it. Finally she took a large sheet of paper and commenced +to write:</p> + + +<p class="right"> +"Dacca, May 29.</p> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Honored Sir:</p> + +<p>"It is with great grief that I inform you that we have +lost our Reverend Father Leclerc, to whom you wrote for +certain important information. When dying he asked me to +send a reply to your letter, and I regret that it could +not have been sent earlier, but after a lapse of twelve +years I have had some difficulty in getting the facts +that you desire, and I must ask pardon for sending the +information I now have in English, as my knowledge of +French is very slight...."</p></div> + +<p>Perrine, who had only read this far to M. Vulfran, now stopped to read +and correct what she had done. She was giving all her attention to her +translation when the office door was opened by Theodore Paindavoine. +He came into the room, closing the door after him, and asked for a +French and English dictionary.</p> + +<p>This dictionary was opened before her. She closed it and handed it to +him.</p> + +<p>"Are you not using it?" he asked, coming close to her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I can manage without it," she replied.</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"I really only need it to spell the French words<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> correctly," she +said, "and a French dictionary will do as well."</p> + +<p>She knew that he was standing just at the back of her, and although +she could not see his eyes, being afraid to turn round, she felt that +he was reading over her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're translating that letter from Dacca?" he said.</p> + +<p>She was surprised that he knew about this letter which was to be kept +a secret. Then she realized that he was questioning her, and that his +request for a dictionary was only a pretext. Why did he need an +English dictionary if he could not understand a word of English?</p> + +<p>"Yes, monsieur," she said.</p> + +<p>"Is the translation coming along all right?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She felt that he was bending over her, that his eyes were fixed on +what she had translated. Quickly she moved her paper, turning it so +that he could only see it sideways.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please, sir," she exclaimed; "don't read it. It is not correct +... it is all confused. I was just trying."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I do mind. I should be ashamed to let you see this."</p> + +<p>He wanted to take the sheet of paper, but she put both her small hands +over it. She determined to hold her own even with one of the heads of +the house.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> + +<p>Until then he had spoken pleasantly to her.</p> + +<p>"Now give it to me," he said briefly. "I'm not playing schoolmaster +with a pretty little girl like you."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, it is impossible; I can't let you see it," she said +obstinately.</p> + +<p>Laughingly he tried to take it from her, but she resisted him.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not let you have it," she said with determination.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is a joke!" replied Theodore.</p> + +<p>"It is not a joke; I am very serious," said little Perrine. "Monsieur +Vulfran forbade me to let anyone see this letter. I am obeying him."</p> + +<p>"It was I who opened it."</p> + +<p>"The letter in English is not the translation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my uncle will show me this wonderful translation presently," he +replied.</p> + +<p>"If your uncle shows it, very well; but that won't be me showing it. +He gave me his orders and I must obey him."</p> + +<p>He saw by her resolute attitude that if he wanted the paper he would +have to take it from her by force. But then, if he did so, she would +probably call out. He did not dare go as far as that.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to see how faithfully you carry out my uncle's orders, +even in trivial things," he said, sarcastically, leaving the room.</p> + +<p>When he had gone and closed the door Perrine tried to go on with her +work, but she was so upset she found it impossible to do so. She knew +that<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> Theodore was not delighted, +as he had said, but furious. If he intended to make her pay for thwarting +his will, how could she defend herself against such a powerful enemy? He +could crush her with the first blow and she would have to leave.</p> + +<p>The door was again opened and Talouel, with gliding step, came into +the room. His eyes fell at once on the letter.</p> + +<p>"Well, how is the translation of that letter from Dacca coming along?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"I have only just commenced it," replied Perrine timidly.</p> + +<p>"M. Theodore interrupted you just now. What did he want?"</p> + +<p>"A French and English dictionary."</p> + +<p>"What for? He doesn't know English."</p> + +<p>"He did not tell me why he wanted it."</p> + +<p>"Did he want to know what was in the letter?" asked Talouel.</p> + +<p>"I had only commenced the first phrase," said Perrine, evasively.</p> + +<p>"You don't ask me to believe that you have not read it?"</p> + +<p>"I have not yet translated it."</p> + +<p>"I ask you if you have read it."</p> + +<p>"I cannot reply to that."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because M. Vulfran has forbidden me to speak of this letter."</p> + +<p>"You know very well that M. Vulfran and I are as one. All of his +orders pass by me; all favors<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> that he bestows are also passed by me. +I have to know all that concerns him."</p> + +<p>"Even his personal affairs?"</p> + +<p>"Does that letter relate to personal affairs then?" asked Talouel.</p> + +<p>She realized that she had let herself be caught.</p> + +<p>"I did not say that," she said. "I said that in case it was a personal +letter, ought I to let you know the contents?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly should know," said Talouel, "if it relates to personal +affairs. Do you know that he is ill from worrying over matters which +might kill him? If he now received some news that might cause him +great sorrow or great joy, it might prove fatal to him. He must not be +told anything suddenly. That is why I ought to know beforehand +anything that concerns him, so as to prepare him. I could not do that +if you read your translation straight off to him."</p> + +<p>He said this in a suave, insinuating voice, very different from his +ordinary rough tones.</p> + +<p>She was silent, looking up at him with an emotion which made her very +pale.</p> + +<p>"I hope that you are intelligent enough to understand what I am +telling you," he continued. "It is important for us, for the entire +town, who depend upon M. Vulfran for a livelihood, to consider his +health. See what a good job you have now with him; in time it will be +much better. We, every one of us, must work for his good. He looks +strong, but he is not so strong as he appears, so much sor<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>row has +undermined his health; and then the loss of his sight depresses him +terribly. He places every confidence in me, and I must see that +nothing hurts him."</p> + +<p>If Perrine had not known Talouel she might have been won by his words; +but after what she had heard the factory girls say about him, and the +talk that she had overheard between Fabry and Mombleux, who were men +able to judge character, she felt that she could not believe in him. +He was not sincere. He wanted to make her talk, and he would attempt +any deceit and hypocrisy to gain his object.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran had told her that if she were questioned she must not let +anyone know the contents of the letter. Evidently he had foreseen what +might happen. She must obey him.</p> + +<p>Talouel, leaning on her desk, fixed his eyes on her face. She needed +all her courage; it seemed as though he were trying to hypnotize her. +In a hoarse voice which betrayed her emotion, but which did not +tremble, however, she said:</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran forbade me to speak of this letter to anyone."</p> + +<p>Her determined attitude made him furious, but controlling himself, he +leaned over her again and said gently, but firmly: "Yes, of course; +but then I'm not anyone. I am his other self."</p> + +<p>She did not reply.</p> + +<p>"Are you a fool?" he cried at last in a stifled voice.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I am," she said.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, then, understand," he said, roughly, "you'd better show some +intelligence if you want to hold this job that M. Vulfran has given +you. If you haven't any intelligence you can't hold the job, and +instead of protecting you, as I intended, it will be my duty to pack +you off ... fire you! Understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, think about it; think what your position is today and think +what it will be tomorrow, turned out in the streets; then let me know +what you decide to do. Tell me this evening."</p> + +<p>Then as she showed no signs of weakening, he went out of the room with +the same gliding step with which he had entered.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h4>A CABLE TO DACCA</h4> + +<p class="cap">M. VULFRAN was waiting for her. She had no time to think over what +Talouel had threatened. She went on with her translation, hoping that +her emotion would die down and leave her in a state better able to +come to a decision as to what she should do. She continued to write:</p> + +<p>"So much time has elapsed since the marriage of your son, M. Edmond +Paindavoine, that I have had some difficulty in getting together the +facts. It was our own Father Leclerc who performed this marriage.</p> + +<p>"The lady who became your son's wife was endowed with the finest +womanly qualities. She was upright, kind, charming; added to these +qualities, she was gifted with remarkable personal charms. The time is +past when all the knowledge the Hindu woman possessed consisted in the +art of being graceful and the science of etiquette of their social +world. Today the Hindu woman's mind is cultivated to a remarkable +degree. Your son's wife was a highly educated girl. Her father and +mother were of the Brahmin faith, but Father Leclerc had the joy of +converting them to our own religion. Unfortunately, when a Hindu is +converted to our religion<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> he loses his caste, +his rank, his standing +in social life. This was the case with the family whose daughter +married your son. By becoming Christians, they became to a certain +extent outcasts.</p> + +<p>"So you will quite understand that being cast off by the all-powerful +Hindu world, this charming girl, who was now a Christian, should turn +and take her place in European society. Her father went into +partnership with a well-known French exporter, and the firm was known +as Doressany (Hindu) & Bercher (French).</p> + +<p>"It was in the home of Madame Bercher that your son met Marie +Doressany and fell in love with her. Everybody spoke in the highest +praise of this young lady. I did not know her, for I came to Dacca +after she left. Why there should have been any obstacle to this union +I cannot say. That is a matter I must not discuss. Although there +were, however, objections, the marriage took place and in our own +Chapel. The Reverend Father Leclerc bestowed the nuptial blessing upon +the marriage of your son and Marie Doressany. This marriage was +recorded in our registers, and a copy of it can be sent to you if you +wish.</p> + +<p>"For four years your son Edmond lived at the home of his wife's +parents. There a little girl was born to the young couple. Everyone +who remembers them speaks of them, as a model couple, and like all +young people, they took part in the social pleasures of their world.</p> + +<p>"For some time the firm of Doressany & Bercher<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> prospered, then hard +times came, and after several bad seasons the firm was ruined. M. and +Mme. Doressany died at some months' interval, and Monsieur Bercher +with his family returned to France. Your son then traveled to +Dalhousie as collector of plants and antiquities for various English +houses. He took with him his young wife and his little girl, who was +about three years old.</p> + +<p>"He did not return to Dacca, but I learn from one of his friends to +whom he has written several times, and from Father Leclerc, who wrote +regularly to Mme. Paindavoine, that they had a villa at Dehra. They +selected this spot to live in as it was the center of his voyages; he +traveled between the Thiberian frontier and the Himalayas.</p> + +<p>"I do not know Dehra, but we have a mission in this town, and if you +think it might help in our researches I shall be pleased to send you a +letter for one of the Fathers whose help might be useful in this +matter...."</p> + +<p>At last the letter was finished. The moment she had translated the +last word, without even waiting to write the polite ending, she +gathered up her sheets and went quickly to M. Vulfran's office. She +found him walking back and forth the length of the room, counting his +steps as much to avoid bumping against the wall as to curb his +impatience.</p> + +<p>"You have been very slow," he said.</p> + +<p>"The letter was long and difficult," she replied.</p> + +<p>"And you were interrupted, were you not? I heard the door of your +office open and close twice."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>Since he put the question to her, she thought that she ought to reply +truthfully. It would solve the problem that had caused her so much +anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Theodore and Monsieur Talouel came into the office," she +said.</p> + +<p>"Ah!..."</p> + +<p>He seemed as though he wanted to say more, but refrained.</p> + +<p>"Give me the letter first," he said, "and we'll see to the other +matter after. Sit down beside me and read slowly. Don't raise your +voice."</p> + +<p>She read. Her voice was somewhat weak.</p> + +<p>As she read the blind man murmured to himself from time to time: +"Model couple" ... "social pleasures" ... "English houses" ... +"which?" ... "One of his friends" ... "Which friend?"</p> + +<p>When she had finished there was a silence. Finally M. Vulfran spoke:</p> + +<p>"Can you translate into English as well as you translate English into +French?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I can do it if the phrases are not too difficult," she replied.</p> + +<p>"A cable?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so."</p> + +<p>"Well, sit down at that little table and write."</p> + +<p>He dictated in French:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Father Fields' Mission, Dacca:</p> + +<p>"Thanks for letter. Please send by cable, reply prepaid, +twenty words ... name of friend who received last news, +date of letter. Send also name <span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>of the Reverend Father +at Dehra. Inform him that I shall write him immediately. + +Paindavoine."</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Translate that into English and make it shorter rather than longer, +if possible. At one franc sixty centimes a word, we must not waste +words. Write very clearly."</p> + +<p>The translation was quickly made.</p> + +<p>"How many words?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In English ... thirty-seven."</p> + +<p>He made the calculation for the message and for the return answer.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said to Perrine, giving her the money, "take it yourself to +the telegraph office, hand it in and see that no mistakes are made by +the receiver."</p> + +<p>As she crossed the veranda she saw Talouel, who, with his hands thrust +in his pockets, was strolling about as though on the lookout for all +that passed in the yards as well as in the offices.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"To the cable office with a message," replied Perrine. She held the +paper in one hand and the money in the other. He took the paper from +her, snatching it so roughly that if she had not let it go he would +have torn it. He hastily opened it. His face flushed with anger when +he saw that the message was written in English.</p> + +<p>"You know that you've got to talk with me later on, eh?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>She did not see M. Vulfran again before three<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> o'clock, when he rang +for her to go out. She had wondered who would replace William, and she +was very surprised when M. Vulfran told her to take her seat beside +him, after having sent away the coachman who had brought old Coco +around.</p> + +<p>"As you drove him so well yesterday, there is no reason why you should +not drive him well today," said M. Vulfran. "Besides, I want to talk +to you, and it is better for us to be alone like this."</p> + +<p>It was not until they had left behind the village, where their +appearance excited the same curiosity as the evening before, and were +going at a gentle trot along the lanes, that M. Vulfran began to talk. +Perrine would like to have put off this moment; she was very nervous.</p> + +<p>"You told me that M. Theodore and Talouel came into your office?" said +the blind man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"What did they want?"</p> + +<p>She hesitated. Her little face wore a very worried look.</p> + +<p>"Why do you hesitate?" asked the blind man. "Don't you think that you +ought to tell me everything?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," said Perrine, fervently. Was this not the best way to +solve her difficulties? She told what had happened when Theodore had +come into the office.</p> + +<p>"Was that all?" asked M. Vulfran, when she stopped.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; that was all."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And Talouel?"</p> + +<p>Again she told exactly what had occurred, only omitting to tell him +that Talouel had said that a sudden announcement of news, good or bad, +might prove fatal to him. She then told him what had passed regarding +the cable; and also that Talouel said he was going to talk with her +after work that same day.</p> + +<p>As she talked she had let old Coco go at her own will, and the old +horse, taking advantage of her freedom, shambled along calmly from one +side of the road to the other, sniffing the odor of the warm hay that +the breeze wafted to his nostrils.</p> + +<p>When Perrine stopped talking her grandfather remained silent for some +time. Knowing that he could not see her, she fixed her eyes on his +face and she read in his expression as much sadness as annoyance.</p> + +<p>"No harm shall come to you," he said at last. "I shall not mention +what you have told me, and if anyone wants to take revenge on you for +opposing their attempts I shall be near to protect you. I thought +something like this would happen, but it will not occur a second time. +In the future you will sit at the little table that is in my office. I +hardly think that they'll try to question you before me. But as they +might try to do so after you leave off work, over at Mother +Françoise's where you eat, I shall take you to my home to live with +me. You will have a room in the chateau, and you will eat at my table. +As I am expecting to have some cor<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>respondence with persons in India, +and I shall receive letters in English and cables, you alone will know +about them. I must take every precaution, for they will do their +utmost to make you talk. I shall be able to protect you if you are by +my side; besides, this will be my reply to those who try to force you +to speak, as well as a warning if they still try to tempt you. Then, +also, it will be a reward for you."</p> + +<p>Perrine, who had been trembling with anxiety when M. Vulfran commenced +to speak, was now so overcome with joy that she could find no words +with which to reply.</p> + +<p>"I had faith in you, child," continued the old man, "from the moment I +knew what struggle you had made against poverty. When one is as brave +as you, one is honest. You have proved to me that I have not made a +mistake, and that I can be proud of you. It is as though I have known +you for years. I am a very lonely and unhappy man. What is my wealth +to me? It is a heavy burden if you have not the health to enjoy it. +And yet there are those who envy me. There are seven thousand men and +women who depend upon me for a living. If I failed there would be +misery and hunger and perhaps death for many. I must keep up for them. +I must uphold the honor of this house which I have built up, little by +little. It is my joy, my pride ... and yet ... I am blind!"</p> + +<p>The last words were said with such bitterness that Perrine's eyes +filled with tears. The blind man<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> continued: "You ought to know from +village talk and from the letter that you translated that I have a +son. My son and I disagreed. We parted; there were many reasons for us +doing so. He then married against my wishes and our separation was +complete. But with all this my affection for him has not changed. I +love him after all these years of absence as though he were still the +little boy I brought up, and when I think of him, which is day and +night, it is the little boy that I see with my sightless eyes. My son +preferred that woman to his own father. Instead of coming back to me +he preferred to live with her because I would not, or could not, +receive her. I hoped that he would give in, but he thought probably +that I in time would give in. We have both the same characters. I have +had no news from him. After my illness, of which I am sure he knew, +for I have every reason to believe that he has been kept informed of +all that happens here, I thought that he would come back to me, but he +has not returned. That wretched woman evidently holds him back. She is +not content with having taken him from me, she keeps him ... the +wretch...."</p> + +<p>The blind man stopped. Perrine, who had been hanging on his words, had +scarcely breathed, but at the last words she spoke.</p> + +<p>"The letter from Father Fields said that she was a lady, honorable and +upright. He does not speak of her as a wretch."</p> + +<p>"What the letter says cannot go against facts,"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> said the blind man, +obstinately. "The main fact which has made me hate her is that she +keeps my son from me. A creature of her kind should efface herself and +let him return and take up again the life which is his. It is through +her that we are parted. I have tried to find him, but I cannot. He +must come back and take his place. You may not understand all I tell +you, my child, but when I die my whole fortune must go to my son. He +is my heir. When I die who will take my place if he is not here? Can +you understand what I am saying, little girl?" said the old man, +almost entreatingly.</p> + +<p>"I think so, sir," said Perrine gently.</p> + +<p>"But there, I don't wish you to understand entirely. There are those +around me who ought to help me. There are certain ones who do not want +my boy to return; it is to their interest that he should not come +back, so they try to think that he is dead. My boy dead! Could he be? +Could God strike me such a terrible blow? They try to believe it, but +I will not. No, I will not! It can't be! Oh, what should I do if my +boy was dead!"</p> + +<p>Perrine's eyes were no longer fixed on the blind man's face; she had +turned her face from him as though he could see her own.</p> + +<p>"I talk to you frankly, little girl," continued the old man, "because +I need your help. They are going to try and tempt you again to spy for +them. I have warned you; that is all that I can do."</p> + +<p>They could now see the factory chimneys of Fercheux. Still a few more +rods and they came to the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> village. Perrine, +who was trembling, could +only find words to say in a broken voice: "Monsieur Vulfran, you may +trust me. I will serve you faithfully with all my heart."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h4>GRANDFATHER'S COMPANION</h4> + +<p class="cap">THAT evening, when the tour of the factories was over, instead of +returning to his office as was his custom, M. Vulfran told Perrine to +drive straight to the chateau.</p> + +<p>For the first time she passed through the magnificent iron gates, a +masterpiece of skill that a king had coveted, so it was said, these +wonderful iron gates which one of France's richest merchants had +bought for his chateau.</p> + +<p>"Follow the main driveway," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>For the first time also she saw close to the beautiful flowers and the +velvety lawns which until then she had only seen from a distance. The +beautiful blossoms, red and pink masses, seemed like great splashes on +the verdure. Accustomed to take this road, old Coco trotted along +calmly, and as there was no occasion to guide her, Perrine was able to +gaze right and left of her and admire the flowers, plants and shrubs +in all their beauty. Although their master could not see them as +formerly, the same attention and skill was showered upon them.</p> + +<p>Of her own accord, Coco stopped before the wide steps where an old +servant, warned by the lodge-keeper's bell, stood waiting.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you there, Bastien?" asked M. Vulfran, without getting down.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then take this young girl to the butterfly room, which is to be hers +in the future. See that everything is given to her that she needs. Set +her plate opposite to mine at table. Now send Felix to me. I want him +to drive me to the office."</p> + +<p>Perrine thought that she was dreaming.</p> + +<p>"We dine at eight o'clock," said M. Vulfran. "Until then you are free +to do as you like."</p> + +<p>She got out of the carriage quickly and followed the old butler. She +was so dazed that it was as though she had suddenly been set down in +an enchanted palace.</p> + +<p>And was not this beautiful chateau like a palace? The monumental hall, +from which rose a wonderful stairway of white marble, up which ran a +crimson carpet, was a delight to the eyes. On each landing exquisite +flowers and plants were grouped artistically in pots and jardinieres. +Their perfume filled the air.</p> + +<p>Bastien took her to the second floor, and without entering opened the +door of a room for her.</p> + +<p>"I'll send the chambermaid to you," he said, leaving her.</p> + +<p>She passed through a somber little hall, then found herself in a very +large room draped with ivory colored cretonne patterned with +butterflies in vivid shades. The furniture was ivory colored wood, and +the carpet gray, with clusters of wild<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> flowers, primrose, poppies, +cornflowers and buttercups.</p> + +<p>How pretty and dainty it was!</p> + +<p>She was still in a dream, pushing her feet into the soft carpet, when +the maid entered.</p> + +<p>"Bastien told me that I was to be at your service, mademoiselle," she +said.</p> + +<p>Here stood a chambermaid in a clean light dress and a muslin cap at +her service ... she who only a few days before had slept in a hut on a +bed of ferns with rats and frogs scampering about her.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said at last, collecting her wits, "but I do not need +anything ... at least I think not."</p> + +<p>"If you like I will show you the apartment," said the maid.</p> + +<p>What she meant by "show the apartment" was to throw open the doors of +a big wardrobe with glass doors, and a closet, then to pull out the +drawers of the dressing table in which were brushes, scissors, soaps +and bottles, etc. That done, she showed Perrine two knobs on the wall.</p> + +<p>"This one is for the lights," she said, flashing on the electric +light, "and this one is the bell if you need anything.</p> + +<p>"If you need Bastien," she explained, "you have to ring once, and if +you need me, ring twice."</p> + +<p>How much had happened in a few hours! Who would have thought when she +took her stand against Theodore and Talouel that the wind was going to +blow so favorably in her direction. How amusing<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> it was ... their ill +feeling towards her had itself brought her this good luck.</p> + +<p>"I suppose that young girl did something foolish?" said Talouel, +meeting his employer at the foot of the steps. "I see she has not +returned with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; she did not," replied M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"But if Felix drove you back?..."</p> + +<p>"As I passed the chateau I dropped her there so that she would have +time to get ready for dinner."</p> + +<p>"Dinner? Oh, I suppose...."</p> + +<p>He was gasping with amazement, and for once he could not say what he +did suppose.</p> + +<p>"You do nothing but 'suppose'," said M. Vulfran, tartly. "I may as +well tell you that for a long time I have wanted someone intelligent +to be near me, one who is discreet and whom I can trust. This young +girl seems to have these qualities. I am sure that she is intelligent, +and I have already had the proof that I can trust her."</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran's tone was significant. Talouel could not misunderstand the +sense of his words.</p> + +<p>"I am taking her to live with me," continued M. Vulfran, "because I +know that there are those who are trying to tempt her. She is not one +to yield, but I do not intend that she should run any risk at their +hands."</p> + +<p>These words were said with even greater significance.</p> + +<p>"She will stay with me altogether now," continued M. Vulfran. "She +will work here in my<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> office; during the +day she will accompany me; +she will eat at my table. I shall not be so lonesome at my meals, for +her chatter will entertain me."</p> + +<p>"I suppose she will give you all the satisfaction that you expect," +remarked Talouel suavely.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so also," replied his employer, very drily.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Perrine, leaning with her elbows on the window sill, looked +out dreamily over the beautiful garden, at the factories beyond the +village with its houses and church, the meadows in which the silvery +water glistened in the oblique rays of the setting sun; and then her +eyes turned in the opposite direction, to the woods where she had sat +down the day she had come, and where in the evening breeze she had +seemed to hear the soft voice of her mother murmuring, "I know you +will be happy."</p> + +<p>Her dear mother had foreseen the future, and the big daisies had also +spoken true. Yes, she was beginning to be happy. She must be patient +and all would come right in time. She need not hurry matters now. +There was no poverty, no hunger or thirst, in this beautiful chateau +where she had entered so quickly.</p> + +<p>When the factory whistle announced the closing hour she was still +standing at her window, deep in thought. The piercing whistle recalled +her from the future to the present.</p> + +<p>Along the white roads between the fields she saw a black swarm of +workers, first a great compact<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> mass, then gradually it grew smaller, +as they dwindled off in different directions in groups towards their +homes.</p> + +<p>Old Coco's gentle trot was soon heard on the drive, and Perrine saw +her blind grandfather returning to his home.</p> + +<p>She gave herself a real wash with eau de Cologne as well as soap, a +delicious perfume soap. It was not until the clock on the mantle shelf +struck eight that she went down.</p> + +<p>She wondered how she would find the dining room. She did not have to +look for it, however. A footman in a black coat, who was standing in +the hall, showed her the way. Almost immediately M. Vulfran came in. +No one guided him. He seemed to have no difficulty in finding his way +to his seat.</p> + +<p>A bowl of beautiful orchids stood in the middle of the table, which +was covered with massive silver and cut glass, which gleamed in the +lights that fell from the crystal chandelier.</p> + +<p>For a moment she stood behind her chair, not knowing what to do. M. +Vulfran seemed to sense her attitude.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," he said.</p> + +<p>The dinner was served at once. The servant who had shown her the way +to the dining room put a plate of soup before her, while Bastien +brought another to his master which was full to the brim.</p> + +<p>If she had been dining there alone with M. Vulfran she would have been +quite at her ease, but the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> inquisitive glances +the servants cast at +her made her feel deeply embarrassed. Probably they were wondering how +a little tramp like her would eat.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, however, she made no mistakes.</p> + +<p>The dinner was very simple—soup, roast lamb, green peas and +salad—but there was abundance of dessert ... two or three raised +stands of delicious fruit and cakes.</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow, if you like, you may go and see the hot houses where these +fruits are grown," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>Perrine thanked him and said she would like to.</p> + +<p>She had commenced by helping herself discreetly to some cherries. M. +Vulfran wished her also to take some apricots, peaches and grapes.</p> + +<p>"Take all you want," he said. "At your age I should have eaten all the +fruit that is on the table ... if it had been offered to me."</p> + +<p>Bastien selected an apricot and peach and placed them before Perrine +as he might have done for an intelligent monkey, just to see how the +"little animal" would eat.</p> + +<p>But despite the delicious fruit, Perrine was very pleased when the +dinner came to an end. She hoped that the next day the servants would +not stare so much.</p> + +<p>"Now you are free until tomorrow," said M. Vulfran, rising from his +seat. "It is moonlight, and you can go for a stroll in the garden, or +read in the library, or take a book up to your own room."</p> + +<p>She was embarrassed, wondering if she ought not<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> to tell M. Vulfran +that she would do as he wished. While she stood hesitating she saw +Bastien making signs to her which at first she did not understand. He +held an imaginary book in one hand and appeared to be turning the +pages with the other, then glanced at M. Vulfran and moved his lips as +though he were reading. Suddenly Perrine understood. She was to ask if +she might read to him.</p> + +<p>"But don't you need me, sir?" she said, timidly. "Would you not like +me to read to you?"</p> + +<p>Bastien nodded his head in approval. He seemed delighted that she had +guessed what he had tried to explain.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you need some time to yourself," replied M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"I assure you that I am not at all tired," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then," said the blind man; "follow me into the study."</p> + +<p>The library was a big somber room separated from the dining room by +the hall. There was a strip of carpet laid from one room to the other, +which was a guide for the blind man. He now walked direct to the room +opposite.</p> + +<p>Perrine had wondered how he spent his time when he was alone, as he +could not read. From the appearance of the room one could not guess, +for the large table was covered with papers and magazines. Before the +window stood a large Voltaire chair, upholstered in tapestry. The +chair was rather worn. This seemed to indicate that the blind man sat +for<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> long hours face to +face with the sky, the clouds of which he +could never see.</p> + +<p>"What could you read to me?" he asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"A newspaper," she said, "if you wish. There are some on the table."</p> + +<p>"The less time one gives to the newspapers the better," he replied. +"Do you like books on travels?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I do," she said.</p> + +<p>"I do, too," he said. "They amuse one as well as instruct one."</p> + +<p>Then, as though speaking to himself, as though unaware of her +presence, he said softly: "Get away from yourself. Get interested in +another life than your own."</p> + +<p>"We'll read from 'Around the World'," he said. He led her to a +bookcase which contained several volumes on travels and told her to +look in the index.</p> + +<p>"What shall I look for?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Look in the I's ... for the word India."</p> + +<p>Thus he was following his own thoughts. How could he live the life of +another? His one thought was of his son. He now wanted to read about +the country where his boy lived.</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you find," he said.</p> + +<p>She read aloud the various headings concerning India. He told her +which volume to take. As she was about to take it she stood as though +transfixed, gazing at a portrait hanging over the fireplace which her +eyes, gradually becoming accustomed to the dim light, had not seen +before.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why are you silent?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I am looking at the portrait over the mantel shelf," she said, in a +trembling voice.</p> + +<p>"That was my son when he was twenty," said the old gentleman; "but you +can't see it very well. I'll light up."</p> + +<p>He touched the electric knob and the room was flooded with light. +Perrine, who had taken a few steps nearer, uttered a cry and let the +book of travels fall to the floor.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She did not reply, but stood there with her eyes fixed on the picture +of a fair young man dressed in a hunting suit leaning with one hand on +a gun and the other stroking the head of a black spaniel.</p> + +<p>There was silence in the room, then the blind man heard a little sob.</p> + +<p>"Why are you crying?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Perrine did not reply for a moment. With an effort she tried to +control her emotion.</p> + +<p>"It is the picture ... your son ... you are his father?" she +stammered.</p> + +<p>At first he did not understand, then in a voice that was strangely +sympathetic he said:</p> + +<p>"And you ... you were thinking of your father, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, sir; I was."</p> + +<p>"Poor little girl," he murmured.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h4>GETTING AN EDUCATION</h4> + +<p class="cap">THE next morning, when Theodore and Casimir entered their uncle's +office to attend to the correspondence, they were amazed to see +Perrine installed at her table as though she were a fixture there.</p> + +<p>Talouel had taken care not to tell them, but he had contrived to be +present when they entered so as to witness their discomfiture. The +sight of their amazement gave him considerable enjoyment. Although he +was furious at the way this little beggar girl had imposed, as he +thought, upon the senile weakness of an old man, it was at least some +compensation to know that the two nephews felt the same astonishment +and indignation that he had.</p> + +<p>Evidently they did not understand her presence in this sacred office, +where they themselves only remained just the time necessary to report +on the business of which they were in charge.</p> + +<p>Theodore and Casimir looked in dismay at one another, but they did not +dare ask questions. Talouel left the room the same time as they.</p> + +<p>"You were surprised to see that girl in the boss' office, eh?" he +said, when they got outside.</p> + +<p>They did not deign to reply.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you had not come in late this morning, I should have let you know +that she was there, and then you would not have looked so taken back. +She noticed how surprised you were."</p> + +<p>He had managed to give them two little knocks: First, there was a +gentle scolding for them being late; secondly, he had let them see +that he, a foreman, had noticed that they had been unable to hide +their discomfiture and that the girl had noticed it, too. And they +were M. Vulfran's nephews! Ah! ha!</p> + +<p>"M. Vulfran told me yesterday that he had taken that girl to live at +the chateau with him, and that in the future she would work in his +office."</p> + +<p>"But who is the girl?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'd like to know. I don't think your uncle knows either. +He told me he wanted someone to be with him whom he could trust."</p> + +<p>"Hasn't he got us?" asked Casimir.</p> + +<p>"That is just what I said to him. I mentioned you both, and do you +know what he replied?"</p> + +<p>He wanted to pause to give more effect to his words, but he was afraid +that they would turn their backs upon him before he had said what he +wanted.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, my nephews,' he said, 'and what are they?' From the tone in +which he said those few words I thought it better not to reply," +continued Talouel. "He told me then that he intended to have that girl +up at the chateau with him because there was someone trying to tempt +her to tell something that she<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> should not tell. +He said he knew that +she could be trusted, but he said he didn't like others that he could +not trust to put the girl in such a position. He said she had already +proved to him that she could be trusted. I wonder who he meant had +tried to tempt her?</p> + +<p>"I thought it my duty to tell you this, because while M. Edmond is +away you two take his place," added Talouel.</p> + +<p>He had given them several thrusts, but he wanted to give them one last +sharp knock.</p> + +<p>"Of course, M. Edmond might return at any moment," he said. "I believe +that your uncle is on the right track at last. He has been making +inquiries, and from the looks of things I think we shall have him back +soon."</p> + +<p>"What have you heard? Anything?" asked Theodore, who could not +restrain his curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I keep my eyes open," said Talouel, "and I can tell you that that +girl is doing a lot of translating in the way of letters and cables +that come from India."</p> + +<p>At that moment he looked from a window and saw a telegraph boy +strolling up to the office.</p> + +<p>"Here is another cable coming," he said. "This is a reply to one that +has been sent to Dacca. It must be very annoying for you not to be +able to speak English. You could be the first to announce to the boss +that your cousin will be coming back. Now that little tramp will be +the one to do it."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> + +<p>Talouel hurried forward to meet the telegraph boy.</p> + +<p>"Say, you don't hurry yourself, do you?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to kill myself?" asked the boy, insolently.</p> + +<p>He hurried with the message to M. Vulfran's office.</p> + +<p>"Shall I open it, sir?" he asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, do," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is in English," replied Talouel, as he looked at the missive.</p> + +<p>"Then Aurelie must attend to it," said M. Vulfran, and with a wave of +his hand dismissed the manager.</p> + +<p>As soon as the door had closed Perrine translated the cable.</p> + +<p>It read: "Friend Leserre, a French merchant. Last news from Dehra five +years. Wrote Father Makerness according to your wish."</p> + +<p>"Five years," cried M. Vulfran. Then, as he was not the sort of man to +waste time in regrets, he said to Perrine: "Write two cables, one to +M. Leserre in French and one to Father Makerness in English."</p> + +<p>She quickly wrote the cable that she had to translate into English, +but she asked if she could get a dictionary from Bendit's office +before she did the one in French.</p> + +<p>"Are you not sure of your spelling?" asked M. Vulfran.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, I am not at all sure," she replied, "and I should not like them +at the office to make fun of any message that is sent by you."</p> + +<p>"Then you would not be able to write a letter without making +mistakes?"</p> + +<p>"No, I know I should make a lot of mistakes. I can spell French words +all right at the commencement, but the endings I find very difficult. +I find it much easier to write in English, and I think I ought to tell +you so now."</p> + +<p>"Have you never been to school?"</p> + +<p>"No, never. I only know what my father and mother taught me. When we +stopped on the roads they used to make me study, but I never studied +very much."</p> + +<p>"You are a good girl to tell me so frankly. We must see to that, but +for the moment let us attend to what we have on hand."</p> + +<p>It was not until the afternoon, when they were driving out, that he +again referred to her spelling.</p> + +<p>"Have you written to your relations yet?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because I would like nothing better than to stay here with you, who +are so kind to me," she said.</p> + +<p>"Then you don't want to leave me?" asked the blind man.</p> + +<p>"No, I want to help you all I can," said Perrine softly.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very well, then you must study so as to be able to act as a little +secretary for me. Would you like to be educated?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I would! And I will work so hard," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Well, the matter can be arranged without depriving myself of your +services," said M. Vulfran; "there is a very good teacher here and I +will ask her to give you lessons from six to eight in the evenings. +She is a very nice woman; there are only two things against her; they +are her height and her name; she is taller than I am, and her +shoulders are much broader than mine. Her name is Mademoiselle +Belhomme. She is indeed a <i>bel homme</i>, for although she is only forty +her shoulders and figure are more massive than any man's I know ... I +must add that she has not a beard."</p> + +<p>Perrine smiled at this description of the teacher that she was to +have.</p> + +<p>After they had made a tour of the factories they stopped before a +girl's school and Mlle. Belhomme ran out to greet M. Vulfran. He +expressed a wish to get down and go into the school and speak with +her. Perrine, who followed in their footsteps, was able to examine +her. She was indeed a giant, but her manner seemed very womanly and +dignified. At times her manner was almost timid and did not accord at +all with her appearance.</p> + +<p>Naturally she could not refuse anything the all-powerful master of +Maraucourt asked, but even if she had had any reasons to refuse M. +Vulfran's<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> request the little +girl with the beautiful eyes and hair +pleased her very much.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said to M. Vulfran, "we will make her an educated girl. Do +you know she has eyes like a gazelle. I have never seen a gazelle, but +I should imagine their great brown eyes are like hers. They are +wonderful...."</p> + +<p>The next day when M. Vulfran returned to his home at the dinner hour +he asked the governess what she thought of her new pupil. Mlle. +Belhomme was most enthusiastic in her praise of Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Does she show any intelligence?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Why she is wonderfully intelligent," replied Mlle. Belhomme; "it +would have been such a calamity if she had remained without an +education...."</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran smiled at Mlle. Belhomme's words.</p> + +<p>"What about her spelling?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is very poor but she'll do better. Her writing is fairly +good but, of course, she needs to study hard. She is so intelligent it +is extraordinary. So as to know exactly what she knew in writing and +spelling I asked her to write me an account of Maraucourt. In twenty +to a hundred lines I asked her to describe the village to me. She sat +down and wrote. Her pen flew over the paper; she did not hesitate for +words; she wrote four long pages; she described the factories, the +scenery, every thing clearly and in detail. She wrote about the birds +<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +and the fishes over near the pond, and about the morning mists that +cover the fields and the water. Then of the calm, quiet evenings. Had +I not seen her writing it I should have thought that she had copied it +from some good author. Unfortunately the spelling and writing is very +poor but, as I said, that does not matter. That is merely a matter of +a few months, whilst all the lessons in the world would not teach her +how to write if she had not been gifted with the sense of feeling and +seeing in such a remarkable manner; that she can convey to others what +she feels and sees. If you have time to let me read it to you, you +will see that I have not exaggerated."</p> + +<p>The governess read Perrine's narrative to him. He was delighted. He +had wondered once or twice if he had been wise in so promptly +befriending this little girl and giving her a place in his home. It +had appeared to him strange the sudden fancy that he had taken to her.</p> + +<p>He told Mlle. Belhomme how her little pupil had lived in a cabin in +one of the fields, and how, with nothing except what she found on +hand, she contrived to make kitchen utensils and shoes, and how she +had made her meals of the fish, herbs and fruit that she found.</p> + +<p>Mlle. Belhomme's kind face beamed as the blind man talked. She was +greatly interested in what he told her. When M. Vulfran stopped the +governess remained silent, thinking.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think," she said at last, "that to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> know how to create the +necessities that one needs is a master quality to be desired above +all?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do, and it was precisely because that child could do that +that I first took an interest in her. Ask her some time to tell you +her story and you will see that it required some energy and courage +for her to arrive where she is now."</p> + +<p>"Well, she has received her reward since she has been able to interest +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am interested, and already attached to her. I am glad that you +like her, and I hope that you will do all that you can with her."</p> + +<p>Perrine made great progress with her studies. She was interested in +everything her governess had to tell her, but her beautiful eyes +betrayed the greatest interest when Mlle. Belhomme talked of her +grandfather. Many times Perrine had spoken of M. Vulfran's illness to +Rosalie, but she had only received vague replies to her queries; now, +from her governess, she learned all the details regarding his +affliction.</p> + +<p>Like everyone at Maraucourt, Mlle. Belhomme was concerned with M. +Vulfran's health, and she had often spoken with Dr. Ruchon so she was +in a position to satisfy Perrine's curiosity better than Rosalie +could.</p> + +<p>Her grandfather had a double cataract. It was not incurable; if he +were operated upon he might recover his sight. The operation had not +yet been attempted because his health would not allow it.... He was +suffering from bronchial trouble,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> and if the operation was to be a +success he would have to be in a perfect state of health. But M. +Vulfran was imprudent. He was not careful enough in following the +doctor's orders. How could he remain calm, as Dr. Ruchon recommended, +when he was always worked up to a fever of anxiety over the continued +absence of his son. So long as he was not sure of his son's fate, +there was no chance for the operation and it was put off. But ... +would it be possible to have it later? That the oculists could not +decide. They were uncertain, so long as the blind man's health +continued in this precarious state.</p> + +<p>But when Mlle. Belhomme saw that Perrine was also anxious to talk +about Talouel and the two nephews and their hopes regarding the +business she was not so communicative. It was quite natural that the +girl should show an interest in her benefactor, but that she should be +interested in the village gossip was not permissible. Certainly it was +not a conversation for a governess and her pupil.... It was not with +talks of this kind that one should mould the character of a young +girl.</p> + +<p>Perrine would have had to renounce all hope of getting any information +from her governess if Casimir's mother, Madame Bretoneux, had not +decided to come to the chateau on a visit. This coming visit opened +the lips of Mlle. Belhomme, which otherwise would certainly have +remained closed.</p> + +<p>As soon as the governess heard that Mme. Breto<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>neux was coming she had +a very serious talk with her little pupil.</p> + +<p>"My dear child," she said, lowering her voice, "I must give you some +advice; I want you to be very reserved with this lady who is coming +here tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Reserved, about what?" asked Perrine in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran did not only ask me to take charge of your education +but to take a personal interest in you; that is why I give you this +advice."</p> + +<p>"Please, Mademoiselle, explain to me what I ought to do," said +Perrine; "I don't understand at all what this advice means, and I am +very nervous."</p> + +<p>"Although you have not been very long at Maraucourt," said Mlle. +Belhomme, "you must know that M. Vulfran's illness and the continued +absence of his son is a cause of anxiety to all this part of the +country."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have heard that," answered Perrine.</p> + +<p>"What would become of all those employed in the works, seven thousand, +and all those who are dependent on these seven thousand if Monsieur +Vulfran should die and his son not return? Will he leave his fortune +and works to his nephews, of which he has no more confidence in one +than the other, or to one who for twenty years has been his right hand +and who, having managed the works with him is, perhaps more than +anyone else, in a position to keep his hold on them?</p> + +<p>"When M. Vulfran took his nephew Theodore<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> into the business everyone +thought that he intended to make him his heir. But later, when +Monsieur Casimir left college and his uncle sent for him, they saw +that they had made a mistake and that M. Vulfran had not decided to +leave his business to these two boys. His only wish was to have his +son back for, although they had been parted for ten years, he still +loved him. Now no one knew whether the son was dead or alive. But +there were those who wished that he was dead so that they themselves +could take M. Vulfran's place when he died.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear child," said the governess, "you understand you live +here in the home of M. Vulfran and you must be very discreet in this +matter and not talk about it to Casimir's mother. She is working all +she can for her son's interest and she will push anyone aside who +stands in his way. Now, if you were on too good terms with her you +would be on bad terms with Theodore's mother, and the other way about. +Then, on the other hand, should you gain the good graces of both of +them you would perhaps have reason to fear one from another direction. +That is why I give you this little advice. Talk as little as possible. +And if you are questioned, be careful to make replies as vague as +possible. It is better sometimes to be looked upon rather as too +stupid than too intelligent. This is so in your case ... the less +intelligent you appear, the more intelligent you will really be."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h4>MEDDLING RELATIVES</h4> + +<p class="cap">THIS advice, given with every kindness, did not tend to lessen +Perrine's anxiety. She was dreading Madame Bretoneux's visit on the +morrow.</p> + +<p>Her governess had not exaggerated the situation. The two mothers were +struggling and scheming in every possible way, each to have her son +alone inherit one day or another the great works of Maraucourt and the +fortune which it was rumored would be more than a hundred million +francs.</p> + +<p>The one, Mme. Stanislaus Paindavoine, was the wife of M. Vulfran's +eldest brother, a big linen merchant. Her husband had not been able to +give her the position in society which she believed to be hers, and +now she hoped that, through her son inheriting his uncle's great +fortune, she would at last be able to take the place in the Parisian +world which she knew she could grace.</p> + +<p>The other, Madame Bretoneux was M. Vulfran's married sister who had +married a Boulogne merchant, who in turn had been a cement and coal +merchant, insurance agent and maritime agent, but with all his trades +had never acquired riches. She wanted her brother's wealth as much for +love of<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> the money as to get it +away from her sister-in-law, whom she +hated.</p> + +<p>While their brother and his only son had lived on good terms, they had +had to content themselves with borrowing all they could from him in +loans which they never intended to pay back; but the day when Edmond +had been packed off to India, ostensibly to buy jute but in reality as +a punishment for being too extravagant and getting into debt, the two +women had schemed to take advantage of the situation. On each side +they had made every preparation so that each could have her son alone, +at any moment, take the place of the exile.</p> + +<p>In spite of all their endeavors the uncle had never consented to let +the boys live with him at the chateau. There was room enough for them +all and he was sad and lonely, but he had made a firm stand against +having them with him in his home.</p> + +<p>"I don't want any quarrels or jealousy around me," he had always +replied to the suggestions made.</p> + +<p>He had then given Theodore the house he had lived in before he built +the chateau and another to Casimir that had belonged to the late head +of the counting house whom Mombleux had replaced.</p> + +<p>So their surprise and indignation had been intense when a stranger, a +poor girl, almost a child, had been installed in the chateau where +they themselves had only been admitted as guests.</p> + +<p>What did it mean?</p> + +<p>Who was this little girl?</p> + +<p>What had they to fear from her?<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<p>Madame Bretoneux had put these questions to her son but his replies +had not satisfied her. She decided to find out for herself, hence her +visit.</p> + +<p>Very uneasy when she arrived, it was not long before she felt quite +at ease again so well did Perrine play the part that mademoiselle had +advised her.</p> + +<p>Although M. Vulfran had no wish to have his nephews living with him he +was very hospitable and cordial to their parents when they came to +visit him. On these occasions the beautiful mansion put on its most +festive appearance; fires were lighted everywhere; the servants put on +their best liveries; the best carriages and horses were brought from +the stables, and in the evening the villagers could see the great +chateau lighted up from ground floor to roof.</p> + +<p>The victoria, with the coachman and footman, had met Mme. Bretoneux at +the railway station. Upon her getting out of the carriage Bastien had +been on hand to show her to the apartment which was also reserved for +her on the first floor.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran never made any change in his habits when his relations came +to Maraucourt. He saw them at meal times, spent the evenings with +them, but no more of his time did he give them. With him business came +before everything; his nephew, the son of whichever one happened to be +visiting there, came to luncheon and dinner and remained the evening +as late as he wished, but that was all.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran spent his hours at the office just the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> same and Perrine +was always with him, so Madame Bretoneux was not able to follow up her +investigations on the "little tramp" as she had wished.</p> + +<p>She had questioned Bastien and the maids; she had made a call on +Mother Françoise and had questioned her carefully, also Aunt Zenobie +and Rosalie, and she had obtained all the information that they could +give her; that is, all they knew from the moment of her arrival in the +village until she went to live in the great house as a companion to +the millionaire. All this, it seemed, was due exclusively to her +knowledge of English.</p> + +<p>She found it a difficult matter, however, to talk to Perrine alone, +who never left M. Vulfran's side unless it was to go to her own room. +Madame Bretoneux was in a fever of anxiety to see what was in the girl +and discover some reason for her sudden success.</p> + +<p>At table Perrine said absolutely nothing. In the morning she went off +with M. Vulfran; after she had finished luncheon she went at once to +her own room. When they returned from the tour of the factories she +went at once to her lessons with her governess; in the evening, upon +leaving the table, she went up again to her own room. Madame Bretoneux +could not get the girl alone to talk with her. Finally, on the eve of +her departure, she decided to go to Perrine's own room. Perrine, who +thought that she had got rid of her, was sleeping peacefully.</p> + +<p>A few knocks on the door awoke her. She sat up in bed and listened. +Another knock.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>She got up and went to the door.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" she asked, without opening it.</p> + +<p>"Open the door, it is I ... Madame Bretoneux," said a voice.</p> + +<p>Perrine turned the lock. Madame Bretoneux slipped into the room while +Perrine turned on the light.</p> + +<p>"Get into bed again," said Madame Bretoneux, "we can talk just as +well."</p> + +<p>She took a chair and sat at the foot of the bed so that she was full +face with Perrine.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk with you about my brother," she began. "You have taken +William's place and I want to tell you a few things that you should +do; for William, in spite of his faults, was very careful of his +master's health. You seem a nice little girl and very willing, and I +am sure if you wish you could do as much as William. I assure you that +we shall appreciate it."</p> + +<p>At the first words Perrine was reassured; if it was only of M. +Vulfran's health that she wanted to speak she had nothing to fear.</p> + +<p>"I think you are a very intelligent girl," said Mme. Bretoneux with a +flattering, ingratiating smile.</p> + +<p>At these words and the look which accompanied them Perrine's +suspicions were aroused at once.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said, exaggerating her simple child-like smile, "all +I ask is to give as good service as William."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah, I was sure we could count on you," said Mme. Bretoneux.</p> + +<p>"You have only to say what you wish, Madame," said little Perrine, +looking up at the intruder with her big innocent eyes.</p> + +<p>"First of all you must be very attentive about his health; you must +watch him carefully and see that he does not take cold. A cold might +be fateful; he would have pulmonary congestion and that would +aggravate his bronchitis. Do you know if they could cure him of his +bronchial trouble they could operate upon him and give him back his +sight? Think what happiness that would be for all of us."</p> + +<p>"I also would be happy," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Those words prove that you are grateful for what he has done for you, +but, then, you are not of the family."</p> + +<p>Perrine assumed her most innocent air.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that does not prevent me from being attached to M. Vulfran," +she said, "believe me, I am."</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered Mme. Bretoneux, "and you can prove your devotion +by giving him the care which I am telling you to give him. My brother +must not only be protected from catching cold, but he must be guarded +against sudden emotions which might, in his state of health, kill him. +He is trying to find our dear Edmond, his only son. He is making +inquiries in India...."</p> + +<p>She paused, but Perrine made no reply.</p> + +<p>"I am told," she went on, "that my brother gets<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> you to translate the +letters and cables that he receives from India. Well, it is most +important that if there be bad news that my son should be informed +first. Then he will send me a telegram, and as it is not far from here +to Boulogne I will come at once to comfort my poor brother. The +sympathy of a sister is deeper than that of a sister-in-law, you +understand."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Madame, I understand; at least I think so," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Then we can count on you?"</p> + +<p>Perrine hesitated for a moment, but as she was forced to give a reply +she said:</p> + +<p>"I shall do all that I can for M. Vulfran."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what you do for him will be for us," continued Mme. +Bretoneux, "the same as what you do for us will be for him. And I am +going to show you that I am not ungrateful. What would you say if I +gave you a very nice dress?"</p> + +<p>Perrine did not want to say anything, but as she had to make some +reply to the question she put it into a smile.</p> + +<p>"A very beautiful dress to wear in the evening," said Mme. Bretoneux.</p> + +<p>"But I am in mourning," answered Perrine.</p> + +<p>"But being in black does not prevent you from wearing a lovely dress. +You are not dressed well enough to dine at my brother's table. You are +very badly dressed—dressed up like a clever little dog."</p> + +<p>Perrine replied that she knew she was not well dressed but she was +somewhat humiliated to be<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> compared with a clever +little dog, and the +way the comparison was made was an evident intention to lower her.</p> + +<p>"I took what I could find at Mme. Lachaise's shop," she said in +self-defense.</p> + +<p>"It was all right for Mme. Lachaise to dress you when you were a +little factory girl, but now, that it pleases my brother to have you +sit at the table with him, we do not wish to blush for you. You must +not mind us making fun of you, but you have no idea how you amused us +in that dreadful waist you have been wearing...."</p> + +<p>Mme. Bretoneux smiled as though she could still see Perrine in the +hideous waist.</p> + +<p>"But there," she said brightly, "all that can be remedied; you are a +beautiful girl, there is no denying that, and I shall see that you +have a dinner dress to set off your beauty and a smart little tailored +costume to wear in the carriage, and when you see yourself in it you +will remember who gave it you. I expect your underwear is no better +than your waist. Let me see it...."</p> + +<p>Thereupon, with an air of authority, she opened first one drawer, then +another, then shut them again disdainfully with a shrug of her +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," she said, "it is dreadful; not good enough for you."</p> + +<p>Perrine felt suffocated; she could not speak.</p> + +<p>"It's lucky," continued Mme. Bretoneux, "that I came here, for I +intend to look after you."</p> + +<p>Perrine wanted to refuse everything and tell this<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> woman that she did +not wish her to take care of her, but remembered the part she had to +play. After all, Mme. Bretoneux's intentions were most generous; it +was her words, her manner, that seemed so hard.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell my brother," she continued, "that he must order from a +dressmaker at Amiens, whose address I will give him, the dinner dress +and the tailor suit which is absolutely necessary, and in addition +some good underwear. In fact, a whole outfit. Trust in me and you +shall have some pretty things, and I hope that they'll remind you of +me all the time. Now don't forget what I have told you."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h4>PAINFUL ARGUMENTS</h4> + +<p class="cap">AFTER the talk his mother had had with Perrine, Casimir, by his looks +and manner, gave her every opportunity to confide in him. But she had +no intention of telling him about the researches that his uncle was +having made both in India and in England. True, they had no positive +news of the exile; it was all vague and contradictory, but the blind +man still hoped on. He left no stone unturned to find his beloved son.</p> + +<p>Mme. Bretoneux's advice had some good effect. Until then Perrine had +not taken the liberty of having the hood of the phaeton pulled up, if +she thought the day was chilly, nor had she dared advise M. Vulfran to +put on an overcoat nor suggest that he have a scarf around his neck; +neither did she dare close the window in the study if the evening was +too cool, but from the moment that Mme. Bretoneux had warned her that +the damp mists and rain would be bad for him she put aside all +timidity.</p> + +<p>Now, no matter what the weather was like, she never got into the +carriage without looking to see that his overcoat was in its place and +a silk scarf<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> in the pocket; if a +slight breeze came up she put the +scarf around his neck or helped him into his coat. If a drop of rain +began to fall she stopped at once and put up the hood. When she first +walked out with him, she had gone her usual pace and he had followed +without a word of complaint. But now that she realized that a brisk +walk hurt him and usually made him cough or breathe with difficulty, +she walked slowly; in every way she devised means of going about their +usual day's routine so that he should feel the least fatigue possible.</p> + +<p>Day by day the blind man's affection for little Perrine grew. He was +never effusive, but one day while she was carefully attending to his +wants he told her that she was like a little daughter to him. She was +touched. She took his hand and kissed it.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "you are a good girl." Putting his hand on her head, +he added: "Even when my son returns you shall not leave us; he will be +grateful to you for what you are to me."</p> + +<p>"I am so little, and I want to be so much," she said.</p> + +<p>"I will tell him what you have been," said the blind man, "and besides +he will see for himself; for my son has a good kind heart." +<a name="Page_270pic" id="Page_270pic"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;"> +<img src="images/illus06d.jpg" width="430" height="658" +alt="HE TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS LIKE A LITTLE DAUGHTER TO HIM." +title="HE TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS LIKE A LITTLE DAUGHTER TO HIM." /> +<span class="caption">HE TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS LIKE A LITTLE DAUGHTER TO HIM.</span> +</div> + +<p>Often he would speak in these terms, and Perrine always wanted to ask +him how, if these were his sentiments, he could have been so +unforgiving and severe with him, but every time she tried to speak the +words would not come, for her throat was closed<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> with emotion. It +was a serious matter for her to broach such a subject, but on that +particular evening she felt encouraged by what had happened. There +could not have been a more opportune moment; she was alone with him in +his study where no one came unless summoned. She was seated near him +under the lamplight. Ought she to hesitate longer?</p> + +<p>She thought not.</p> + +<p>"Do you mind," she said, in a little trembling voice, "if I ask you +something that I do not understand? I think of it all the time, and +yet I have been afraid to speak."</p> + +<p>"Speak out," he said.</p> + +<p>"What I cannot understand," she said timidly, "is that loving your son +as you do, you could be parted from him."</p> + +<p>"It is because you are so young you do not understand," he said, "that +there is duty as well as love. As a father, it was my duty to send him +away; that was to teach him a lesson. I had to show him that my will +was stronger than his. That is why I sent him to India where I +intended to keep him but a short while. I gave him a position +befitting my son and heir. He was the representative of my house. Did +I know that he would marry that miserable creature? He was mad!"</p> + +<p>"But Father Fields said that she was not a miserable creature," +insisted Perrine.</p> + +<p>"She was or she would not have contracted a marriage that was not +valid in France," retorted<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> the blind man, +"and I will not recognize her as my daughter."</p> + +<p>He said this in a tone that made Perrine feel suddenly cold. Then he +continued abruptly: "You wonder why I am trying to get my son back +now, if I did not want him back after he had married. Things have +changed. Conditions are not the same now as then. After fourteen years +of this so-called marriage my son ought to be tired of this woman and +of the miserable life that he has been forced to live on account of +her. Besides conditions for me have also changed. My health is not +what it was, and I am blind. I cannot recover my sight unless I am +operated upon and I must be in a calm state favorable to the success +of this operation. When my son learns this do you think he will +hesitate to leave this woman? I am willing to support her and her +daughter also. I am sure many times he has thought of Maraucourt and +wanted to return. If I love him I know that he also loves me. When he +learns the truth he will come back at once, you will see."</p> + +<p>"Then he would have to leave his wife and daughter?"</p> + +<p>"He has no wife nor has he a daughter," said the old man sternly.</p> + +<p>"Father Fields says that he was married at the Mission House by Father +Leclerc," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"This marriage was contracted contrary to the French law," said M. +Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"But was it not lawful in India?" asked Perrine.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will have it annulled in Rome," said the blind man.</p> + +<p>"But the daughter?"</p> + +<p>"The law would not recognize that child."</p> + +<p>"Is the law everything?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that it is not the law that makes one love or not love one's +parents or children. It was not the law that made me love my poor +father. I loved him because he was good and kind and he loved me. I +was happy when he kissed me, and smiled at me. I loved him and there +was nothing that I liked better than to be with him. He loved me +because I was his little girl and needed his affection; he loved me +because he knew that I loved him with all my heart. The law had +nothing to do with that. I did not ask if it was the law that made him +my father. It was our love that made us so much to each other."</p> + +<p>"What are you driving at?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon if I have said anything I should not say, but I +speak as I think and as I feel."</p> + +<p>"And that is why I am listening to you," said the blind man; "what you +say is not quite reasonable, but you speak as a good girl would."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, what I am trying to say is this," said Perrine boldly; "if +you love your son and want to have him back with you, he also loves +his daughter and wants to have her with him."</p> + +<p>"He should not hesitate between his father and his daughter," said the +old man; "besides, if the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> marriage is annulled, +she will be nothing to him. He could soon marry that woman off again with +the dowry that I would give her. Everything is changed since he went away. +My fortune is much larger.... He will have riches, honor and position. Surely it +isn't a little half-caste that can keep him back."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she is not so dreadful as you imagine," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"A Hindu."</p> + +<p>"In the books that I read to you it says that the Hindus are more +beautiful than the Europeans," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Travelers' exaggerations," said the old man scoffingly.</p> + +<p>"They have graceful figures, faces of pure oval, deep eyes with a +proud look. They are patient, courageous, industrious; they are +studious...."</p> + +<p>"You have a memory!"</p> + +<p>"One should always remember what one reads, should not one?" asked +Perrine. "It does not seem that the Hindu is such a horrible creature +as you say."</p> + +<p>"Well, what does all that matter to me as I do not know her?"</p> + +<p>"But if you knew her you might perhaps get interested in her and learn +to love her."</p> + +<p>"Never! I can't bear to think of her and her mother!..."</p> + +<p>"But if you knew her you might not feel so angry towards her."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> + +<p>He clenched his fist as though unable to control his fury, but he did +not stop her.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose that she is at all like you suppose," said Perrine; +"Father Fields is a good priest and he would not say what was not +true, and he says that her mother was good and kind and a lady...."</p> + +<p>"He never knew her; it is hearsay."</p> + +<p>"But it seems that everyone holds this opinion. If she came to your +house would you not be as kind to her as you have been to me, ... a +stranger?"</p> + +<p>"Don't say anything against yourself."</p> + +<p>"I do not speak for or against myself, but what I ask is for justice. +I know if that daughter, your granddaughter, came here she would love +you with all her heart."</p> + +<p>She clasped her hands together and looked up at him as though he could +see her; her voice shook with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to be loved by your granddaughter?" she asked +pleadingly.</p> + +<p>The blind man rose impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I tell you she can never be anything to me," he cried. "I hate her as +I hate her mother. The woman took my son from me and she keeps him +from me. If she had not bewitched him he would have been back long +before this. She has been everything to him while I, his father, have +been nothing."</p> + +<p>He strode back and forth, carried away with his<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> anger. She had never +seen him like this. Suddenly he stopped before her.</p> + +<p>"Go to your room," he said almost harshly, "and never speak of those +creatures to me again; besides, what right have you to mix up in this? +Who told you to speak to me in such a manner?"</p> + +<p>For a moment she was dumbfounded, then she said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, no one, sir, I assure you. I just put myself into your little +granddaughter's place, that is all."</p> + +<p>He softened somewhat, but he continued still in a severe voice: "In +the future do not speak on this subject; you see it is painful for me +and you must not annoy me."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," she said, her voice full of tears; "certainly I +ought not to have spoken so."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h4>THE BLIND MAN'S GRIEF</h4> + +<p class="cap">MONSIEUR VULFRAN advertised in the principal newspapers of Calcutta, +Dacca, Bombay and London for his son. He offered a reward of forty +pounds to anyone who could furnish any information, however slight it +might be, about Edmond Paindavoine. The information must, however, be +authentic. Not wishing to give his own address, which might have +brought to him all sorts of correspondence more or less dishonest, he +put the matter into the hands of his banker at Amiens.</p> + +<p>Numerous letters were received, but very few were serious; the greater +number came from detectives who guaranteed to find the person they +were searching for if the expenses for the first steps necessary could +be sent them. Other letters promised everything without any foundation +whatever upon which they based their promises. Others related events +that had occurred five, ten, twelve years previous; no one kept to the +time stated in the advertisement, that was the last three years.</p> + +<p>Perrine read or translated all these letters for the blind man. He +would not be discouraged at the meagre indications sent him.</p> + +<p>"It is only by continued advertising that we shall<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> get results," he +said always. Then again he advertised.</p> + +<p>Finally, one day a letter from Bosnia gave them some information which +might lead to something. It was written in bad English, and stated +that if the advertiser would place the forty pounds promised with a +banker at Serajevo the writer would furnish authentic information +concerning M. Edmond Paindavoine going back to the month of November +of the preceding year. If this proposition was acceptable, the reply +was to be sent to N. 917, General Delivery, Serajevo.</p> + +<p>This letter seemed to give M. Vulfran so much relief and joy that it +was a confession of what his fears had been.</p> + +<p>For the first time since he had commenced his investigations, he spoke +of his son to his two nephews and Talouel.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to tell you that at last I have news of my son," he +said. "He was in Bosnia last November."</p> + +<p>There was great excitement as the news was spread through the various +towns and villages. As usual under such circumstances, it was +exaggerated.</p> + +<p>"M. Edmond is coming back. He'll be home shortly," went from one to +another.</p> + +<p>"It's not possible!" cried some.</p> + +<p>"If you don't believe it," they were told, "you've only to look at +Talouel's face and M. Vulfran's nephews."</p> + +<p>Yet there were some who would not believe that<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> the exile would +return. The old man had been too hard on him. He had not deserved to +be sent away to India because he had made a few debts. His own family +had cast him aside, so he had a little family of his own out in India. +Why should he come back? And then, even if he was in Bosnia or Turkey, +that was not to say that he was on his way to Maraucourt. Coming from +India to France, why should he have to go to Bosnia? It was not on the +route.</p> + +<p>This remark came from Bendit, who, with his English coolheadedness, +looked at things only from a practical standpoint, in which sentiment +played no part. He thought that just because everyone wished for the +son and heir to return, it was not enough to bring him back. The +French could wish a thing and believe it, but he was English, he was, +and he would not believe that he was coming back until he saw him +there with his own eyes!</p> + +<p>Day by day the blind man grew more impatient to see his son. Perrine +could not bear to hear him talk of his return as a certainty. Many +times she tried to tell him that he might be disappointed. One day, +when she could bear it no longer, she begged him in her sweet voice +not to count too much upon seeing his son for fear something might +still keep him away.</p> + +<p>The blind man asked her what she meant.</p> + +<p>"It is so terrible to hear the worst when one has been expecting the +best," she said brokenly. "If I say this it is because that is just +what happened to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> me. We had thought +and hoped so much when my father was ill that he would get better, but we +lost him, and poor mama and I did not know how to bear it. +We would not think that he might die."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but my boy is alive, and he will be here soon. He will come back +to me very soon," said the old man in a firm voice.</p> + +<p>The next day the banker from Amiens called at the factory. He was met +at the steps by Talouel, who did all in his power to get the first +information which he knew the banker was bringing. At first his +attitude was very obsequious, but when he saw that his advances were +repulsed, and that the visitor insisted upon seeing his employer at +once, he pointed rudely in the direction of M. Vulfran's office and +said:</p> + +<p>"You will find him over there in that room," and then turned and went +off with his hands in his pockets.</p> + +<p>The banker knocked on the door indicated.</p> + +<p>"Come in," called out M. Vulfran, in answer to his knock.</p> + +<p>"What, you ... you at Maraucourt!" he exclaimed when he saw his +visitor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had some business to attend to at Picquigny, and I came on +here to bring you some news received from Bosnia."</p> + +<p>Perrine sat at her little table. She had gone very white; she seemed +like one struck dumb.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked M. Vulfran.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is not what you hoped, what we all hoped," said the banker +quietly.</p> + +<p>"You mean that that fellow who wrote just wanted to get hold of the +forty pounds."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; he seems an honest man...."</p> + +<p>"Then he knows nothing?"</p> + +<p>"He does, but unfortunately his information is only too true."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately!" gasped the blind man. This was the first word of +doubt that he had uttered. "You mean," he added, "that they have no +more news of him since last November?"</p> + +<p>"There is no news since then. The French Consul at Serajevo, Bosnia, +has sent me this information:</p> + +<p>"'Last November your son arrived at Serajevo practising the trade of a +strolling photographer....'"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" exclaimed M. Vulfran. "A strolling +photographer!... My son?"</p> + +<p>"He had a wagon," continued the banker, "a sort of caravan in which he +traveled with his wife and child. He used to take pictures on the +market squares where they stopped...."</p> + +<p>The banker paused and glanced at some papers he held in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have something to read, haven't you?" said the blind man as +he heard the paper rustle. "Read, it will be quicker."</p> + +<p>"He plied the trade of a photographer," continued the banker, +consulting his notes, "and at the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> beginning of November he left +Serajevo for Travnik, where he fell ill. He became very ill...."</p> + +<p>"My God!" cried the blind man. "Oh, God...."</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran had clasped his hands; he was trembling from head to foot, +as though a vision of his son was standing before him.</p> + +<p>"You must have courage," said the banker, gently. "You need all your +courage. Your son...."</p> + +<p>"He is dead!" said the blind man.</p> + +<p>"That is only too true," replied the banker. "All the papers are +authentic. I did not want to have any doubt upon the matter, and that +was why I cabled to our Consul at Serajevo. Here is his reply; it +leaves no doubt."</p> + +<p>But the old man did not appear to be listening. He sat huddled up in +his big chair, his head drooped forward on his chest. He gave no sign +of life. Perrine, terrified, wondered if he were dead.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly he pulled himself together and the tears began to run +down his wrinkled cheeks. He brushed them aside quickly and touched +the electric bell which communicated with Talouel's and his nephew's +offices.</p> + +<p>The call was so imperative that they all ran to the office together.</p> + +<p>"You are there?" asked the blind man; "Talouel, Theodore and Casimir?"</p> + +<p>All three replied together.</p> + +<p>"I have just learned of the death of my son," said their employer. +"Stop work in all the fac<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>tories immediately. +Tomorrow the funeral services will be held in the churches at Maraucourt, +Saint-Pipoy and all the other villages."</p> + +<p>"Oh, uncle!" cried both the nephews.</p> + +<p>He stopped them with uplifted hand.</p> + +<p>"I wish to be alone ... leave me," was all he said.</p> + +<p>Everyone left the room but Perrine. She alone remained.</p> + +<p>"Aurelie, are you there?" asked the blind man.</p> + +<p>She replied with a sob.</p> + +<p>"Let us go home," he said.</p> + +<p>As was his habit, he placed his hand on her shoulder, and it was like +this that they passed through the crowd of workers who streamed from +the factory. As they stood aside for him to pass, all who saw him +wondered if he would survive this blow. He, who usually walked so +upright, was bent like a tree that the storm has broken.</p> + +<p>Could he survive this shock? Perrine asked herself this question with +even greater agony, for it was she and she alone who knew how his +great frame was trembling. His shaking hands grasped her shoulder +convulsively, and without him uttering one word little Perrine knew +how deeply her grandfather was smitten.</p> + +<p>After she had guided him into his study he sent her away.</p> + +<p>"Explain why I wish to be left alone. No one is to come in here. No +one is to speak to me....<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I refused to believe you," he murmured as she was leaving him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please; if you will let me...."</p> + +<p>"Leave me," he said roughly.</p> + +<p>Perrine closed the door softly.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h4>AN UNRESPECTED FUNERAL</h4> + +<p class="cap">THERE was considerable bustle and excitement at the chateau all that +evening. First M. and Mme. Stanislas Paindavoine, who had received a +telegram from Theodore, arrived. Then M. and Mme. Bretoneux, sent for +by Casimir, came. After that came Mme. Bretoneux's two daughters, +their husbands and children. No one wished to miss the funeral service +for poor dear Edmond.</p> + +<p>Besides, this was the decisive moment for clever manoeuvring. What a +disaster if this big industry should fall into the hands of one so +incapable as Theodore! What a misfortune if Casimir took charge! +Neither side thought that a partnership could be possible, and the two +cousins share alike. Each wanted all for himself.</p> + +<p>Both Mme. Bretoneux and Mme. Paindavoine had ignored Perrine since +their arrival. They had given her to understand that they did not +require her services any longer.</p> + +<p>She sat in her room hoping that M. Vulfran would send for her so that +she could help him into the church, as she had done every Sunday since +William had gone. But she waited in vain. When<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> the bells, which had +been tolling since the evening before, announced mass, she saw him get +up into his carriage leaning on his brother's arm, while his sister +and sister-in-law, with the members of their families, took their +places in other carriages.</p> + +<p>She had no time to lose, for she had to walk. She hurried off.</p> + +<p>After she had left the house over which Death had spread its shroud, +she was surprised to notice as she hastened through the village that +the taverns had taken on their Sunday air. The men drank and laughed +and the women chatted at their doors, while the children played in the +street. Perrine wondered if none of them were going to attend the +service.</p> + +<p>Upon entering the church, where she had been afraid that she would not +find room, she saw that it was almost empty. The bereaved family sat +in the choir; here and there was some village authority, a tradesman +and the heads of the factories. Very few of the working men and women +were present; they had not thought to come and join their prayers to +those of their employer.</p> + +<p>Perrine took a seat beside Rosalie and her grandmother, who was in +deep mourning.</p> + +<p>"Alas! my poor little Edmond," murmured the old nurse, wiping her +eyes. "What did M. Vulfran say?"</p> + +<p>But Perrine was too overcome to reply. The services commenced.</p> + +<p>As she left the church, Mlle. Belhomme came up<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> to her, and, like +Françoise, wanted to question her about M. Vulfran. Perrine told her +that he had not spoken to her since the evening before.</p> + +<p>"As I saw him kneeling there so crushed and broken for the first time, +I was pleased that he was blind," said the governess sadly.</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Because he could not see how few people came to the church. What +indifference his men have shown! If he could have seen that empty +church it would have added to his grief."</p> + +<p>"I think he must have known how few there were there," said Perrine. +"His ears take the place of his eyes, and that empty silence could not +deceive him."</p> + +<p>"Poor man," murmured Mlle. Belhomme; "and yet...."</p> + +<p>She paused. Then, as she was not in the habit of holding anything +back, she went on: "And yet it will be a great lesson to him. You +know, my child, you cannot expect others to share your sorrows if you +are not willing to share theirs.</p> + +<p>"M. Vulfran gives his men what he considers their due," she continued, +in a lower voice. "He is just, but that is all. He has never been a +father to his men. He is all for business, business only. What a lot +of good he could have done, however, not only here, but everywhere, if +he had wished, by setting an example. Had he been more to his men you +may be sure that the church would not have been as empty as it was +today."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<p>Perhaps that was true, but how it hurt Perrine to hear this from the +lips of her governess, of whom she was so fond. If anyone else had +said so she might not have felt it so deeply. Yes, undoubtedly it was +too true.</p> + +<p>They had been walking as they talked, and had now reached the schools +where Mlle. Belhomme lived.</p> + +<p>"Come in and we'll have luncheon together," she said. She was thinking +that her pupil would not be allowed to take her accustomed place at +the family table.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you," said Perrine; "but M. Vulfran might need me."</p> + +<p>"Well, in that case you had better go back," said Mlle. Belhomme.</p> + +<p>When she reached the chateau she saw that M. Vulfran had no need of +her, that he was not even thinking of her. Bastien, whom she met on +the stairs, told her that when he came back from the church he had +gone to his own room and locked himself in, forbidding anyone to +enter.</p> + +<p>"He won't even sit down on a day like this with his family," said +Bastien, "and they are all going after luncheon. I don't think he even +wants to say goodbye to them. Lord help us! What will become of us? +Oh, poor master!"</p> + +<p>"What can I do?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"You can do a great deal. The master believes in you, and he's mighty +fond of you."</p> + +<p>"Mighty fond of me?" echoed Perrine.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, and it's I as says it," said the butler. "He likes you a whole +lot."</p> + +<p>As Bastien had said, all the family left after luncheon. Perrine +stayed in her room, but M. Vulfran did not send for her. Just before +she went to bed, Bastien came to tell her that his master wished her +to accompany him the next morning at the usual hour.</p> + +<p>"He wants to get back to work, but will he be able?" said the old +butler. "It will be better for him if he can. Work means life for +him."</p> + +<p>The next day at the usual hour Perrine was waiting for M. Vulfran. +With bent back he came forward, guided by Bastien. The butler made a +sign to her that his master had passed a bad night.</p> + +<p>"Is Aurelie there?" asked the blind man in a changed voice, a voice +low and weak, like that of a sick child.</p> + +<p>Perrine went forward quickly.</p> + +<p>"I am here, M. Vulfran," she said.</p> + +<p>"Let us get into the carriage, Aurelie," he said.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had taken his place beside Perrine his head drooped on +his chest. He said not a word.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the office steps Talouel was there ready to receive him +and help him to alight.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you felt strong enough to come?" he said, in a sympathetic +voice which contrasted with the flash in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I did not feel at all strong, but I came because I thought that I +ought to come," said his employer.</p> + +<p>"That is what I meant ... I...."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + +<p>M. Vulfran stopped him and told Perrine to guide him to his office.</p> + +<p>The mail, which had accumulated in two days, was read, but the blind +man made no comments on the correspondence. It was as though he were +deaf or asleep. The heads of the factory then came in to discuss an +important question that had to be settled that day. When the immediate +business was settled Perrine was left alone with the blind man. He was +silent.</p> + +<p>Time passed; he did not move. She had often seen him sit still, but on +such occasions, from the expression on his face, she had known that he +was following his work as though he were watching with his eyes. He +listened to the whistle of the engines, the rolling of the trucks; he +was attentive to every sound and seemed to know exactly what was going +on, but now he seemed as though he were turned into a statue. There +was no expression in his face and he was so silent. He did not seem to +be breathing. Perrine was overcome by a sort of terror. She moved +uneasily in her chair; she did not dare speak to him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he put his two hands over his face and, as though unaware +that anyone was present, he cried: "My God! my God! you have forsaken +me! Oh, Lord, what have I done that you should forsake me!"</p> + +<p>Then the heavy silence fell again. Perrine trembled when she heard his +cry, although she could not grasp the depth of his despair.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>Everything that this man had attempted had been a success; he had +triumphed over his rivals; but now, with one blow, that which he +wanted most had been snatched from him. He had been waiting for his +son; their meeting, after so many years of absence, he had pictured to +himself, and then....</p> + +<p>Then what?</p> + +<p>"My God," cried the blind man again, "why have you taken him from +me?"<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h4>THE ANGEL OF REFORM</h4> + +<p class="cap">AS THE days passed M. Vulfran became very weak. At last he was +confined to his room with a serious attack of bronchitis, and the +entire management of the works was given over to Talouel, who was +triumphant.</p> + +<p>When he recovered he was in such a state of apathy that it was +alarming. They could not rouse him; nothing seemed to interest him, +not even his business. Previously they had feared the effect a shock +would have on his system, but now the doctors desired it, for it +seemed that only a great shock could drag him out of this terrible +condition. What could they do?</p> + +<p>After a time he returned to his business, but he scarcely took account +of what Talouel had done during his absence. His manager, however, had +been too clever and shrewd to take any steps that his employer would +not have taken himself.</p> + +<p>Every day Perrine took him to his various factories, but the drives +were made in silence now. Frequently he did not reply to the remarks +she made from time to time, and when he reached the works he scarcely +listened to what his men had to say.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do what you think best," he said always. "Arrange the matter with +Talouel."</p> + +<p>How long would this apathy last?</p> + +<p>One afternoon, when old Coco was bringing them back to Maraucourt, +they heard a bell ringing.</p> + +<p>"Stop," he said; "I think that's the fire alarm."</p> + +<p>Perrine stopped the horse.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a fire," he said, listening. "Do you see anything?"</p> + +<p>"I can see a lot of black smoke over by the poplars on the left," +replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"On the left? That is the way to the factory."</p> + +<p>"Yes; shall I drive that way?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied M. Vulfran, indifferently.</p> + +<p>It was not until they reached the village that they knew where the +fire was.</p> + +<p>"Don't hurry, M. Vulfran," called out a peasant; "the fire ain't in +your house. It's La Tiburce's house that's on fire."</p> + +<p>La Tiburce was a drunken creature who minded little babies who were +too young to be taken to the crèche. She lived in a miserable +tumble-down house near the schools.</p> + +<p>"Let us go there," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>They had only to follow the crowd, for the people, when they saw the +flames and smoke rising, were running excitedly to the spot where the +fire was. Before reaching the scene Perrine had to stop several times +for fear of running someone down. Nothing in the world would have made +the people get out of their way. Finally M. Vulfran got out of<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> the +carriage and, guided by Perrine, walked through the crowd. As they +neared the entrance to the house, Fabry, wearing a helmet, for he was +chief of the firemen, came up to them.</p> + +<p>"We've got it under control," he said, "but the house is entirely +burnt, and what's worse, several children, five or six, perhaps, are +lost. One is buried beneath, two have been suffocated, and we don't +know where the other three are."</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"La Tiburce was asleep, drunk. She is still in that condition. The +biggest of the children were playing with the matches. When the fire +began to flare up some of the children got out, and La Tiburce woke +up. She is so drunk she got out herself but left the little ones in +the cradle."</p> + +<p>The sound of cries and loud talking could be heard in the yard. M. +Vulfran wanted to go in.</p> + +<p>"Don't go in there, sir," said Fabry. "The mothers whose two children +were suffocated are carrying on pretty badly."</p> + +<p>"Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"Two women who work in your factory."</p> + +<p>"I must speak to them."</p> + +<p>Leaning on Perrine's shoulder, he told her to guide him. Preceded by +Fabry, who made way for them, they went into the yard where the +firemen were turning the hose on the house as the flames burst forth +in a crackling sound.</p> + +<p>In a far-off corner several women stood round the two mothers who were +crying. Fabry brushed<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> aside the group. +M. Vulfran went up to the bereaved parents, who sat with their dead children +on their knees. Then one of the women, who thought perhaps that a supreme help had +come, looked up with a gleam of hope in her eyes. When she recognized +M. Vulfran she raised her arm to him threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she cried, "come and see for yourself what they do to our babies +while we are sweating and killing ourselves for you. Can you give us +back their lives? Oh, my little boy."</p> + +<p>She burst into sobs as she bent over her child.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran hesitated for a moment; then he turned to Fabry and said:</p> + +<p>"You are right; let us go."</p> + +<p>They returned to the offices. After a time Talouel came to tell his +employer that out of the six children that they had thought were dead, +three had been found in the homes of neighbors, where they had been +carried when the fire first broke out. The burial for the other three +tiny victims was to take place the next day.</p> + +<p>When Talouel had gone, Perrine, who had been very thoughtful, decided +to speak to M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Are you not going to the burial service of these little babies?" she +asked. Her trembling voice betrayed her emotion.</p> + +<p>"Why should I go?" asked M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Because that would be the most dignified answer you could give to +what that poor woman said."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did my work people come to the burial service of my son?" asked M. +Vulfran, coldly.</p> + +<p>"They did not share your sorrow," said Perrine gravely, "but if you +share theirs now they will be touched."</p> + +<p>"You don't know how ungrateful the workingman is."</p> + +<p>"Ungrateful! For what? The money they receive? They consider that they +have a right to the money they earn. It is theirs. Would they show +ingratitude if an interest was taken in them, if a little friendly +help was given them? Perhaps it would not be the same, do you think +so? Friendship creates friendship. One often loves when one knows one +is loved, and it seems to me that when we are friendly to others, we +make friends ourselves. It means so much to lighten the burdens of the +poor, but how much more is it to lighten their sorrows ... by helping +to share them."</p> + +<p>It seemed to her that she had still so much to say on this subject, +but M. Vulfran did not reply. He did not even appear to be listening +to her, and she was afraid to say more. Later she might make another +attempt.</p> + +<p>As they left the office M. Vulfran turned to Talouel, who was standing +on the steps, and said:</p> + +<p>"Tell the priest to arrange a suitable burial for the three children. +It will be at my expense and I shall be there."</p> + +<p>Talouel jumped.</p> + +<p>"And let everyone know," continued M. Vulfran,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> "that all who wish to +go to the church tomorrow, can take the time off. This fire is a great +misfortune."</p> + +<p>"We are not responsible for it," said Talouel.</p> + +<p>"Not directly ... no," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>Perrine had another surprise the next morning. After the mail had been +opened and the replies dictated, M. Vulfran detained Fabry and said: +"I want you to start for Rouen. I think you can spare the time. I have +heard that they have built a model crèche there. It is not built by +the town, but someone has had it built to the memory of one whom they +have lost. I want you to see how this is made. Study it in all its +details—the construction, heating and ventilation and the expense of +keeping it up. In three months we must have a crèche at the entrance +of all my factories. I don't want such a calamity as that which +occurred yesterday to take place again. I rely upon you and the +responsibility is upon you now."</p> + +<p>That evening Perrine told the great news to her governess, who was +delighted. While they were talking about it, M. Vulfran came into the +room.</p> + +<p>"Mademoiselle," he said, "I have come to ask a favor of you in the +name of all the village. It is a big favor. It may mean a great +sacrifice on your part. This is it."</p> + +<p>In a few words he outlined the request he had to make. It was that +mademoiselle should send in her resignation at the schools and take +charge of the five crèches which he was going to build. He knew<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> of no +one who was capable of taking on their shoulders such a big burden. He +would donate a crèche to each village and endow it with sufficient +capital to keep up its maintenance.</p> + +<p>Although Mlle. Belhomme loved to teach, and it would be indeed a +sacrifice for her to give up her school, she felt, after she had +talked with the blind man, that it was here where her duty lay. It was +indeed a great work that she was called upon to do, and she would +enter upon her task with all the enthusiasm of which her big heart was +capable.</p> + +<p>"This is a great thing you are doing, Monsieur Vulfran," she said, with +tears in her eyes, "and I will do all I can to make this work a +success."</p> + +<p>"It is your pupil one must thank for it," said the blind man, "not I. +Her words and suggestions have awakened something in my heart. I have +stepped out on a new road. I am only at the first steps. It is nothing +compared with what I intend to do."</p> + +<p>"Oh, please," said Perrine, her eyes bright with delight and pride, +"if you still want to do something...."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I want to take you somewhere ... tonight."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Where do you want to take me?" asked the blind man, +mystified.</p> + +<p>"To a place where your presence only for a few moments will bring +about extraordinary results," said Perrine.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, can't you tell me where this mysterious place is?" asked M. +Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"But if I tell you, your visit will not have the same effect. It will +be a failure. It will be a fine evening and warm, and I am sure that +you will not take cold. Please say you will go!"</p> + +<p>"I think one could have confidence in her," said Mademoiselle +Belhomme, "although her request seems a little strange and childish."</p> + +<p>"Well," said M. Vulfran, indulgently, "I'll do as you wish, Aurelie. +Now at what hour are we to start on this adventure?"</p> + +<p>"The later it is the better it will be," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>During the evening he spoke several times of the outing they were to +have, but Perrine would not explain.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, little girl, you have aroused my curiosity?" he said at +last.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are interested," she said gravely. "There is so much +that can be done in the future. Do not look back to the past any +more."</p> + +<p>"The future is empty for me," said the blind man bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; it is not," said Perrine, lifting her lovely face to his. Her +eyes were shining with a beautiful light. "It will not be empty if you +think of others. When one is a child, and not very happy, one often +thinks that if a wonderful fairy came to them, of what beautiful +things they would ask. But if one is the fairy, or rather the magician +oneself, and can do all the wonderful things alone,<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> wouldn't it be +splendid to use one's power?..."</p> + +<p>The evening passed. Several times the blind man asked if it were not +time to start, but Perrine delayed as long as possible.</p> + +<p>At last she said that she thought they could start. The night was +warm, no breeze, no mists. The atmosphere was a trifle heavy and the +sky dark.</p> + +<p>When they reached the village it was all quiet. All seemed to sleep. +Not a light shone from the windows.</p> + +<p>The dark night made no difference to the blind man. As they walked +along the road from the chateau he knew exactly where he was.</p> + +<p>"We must be nearing Françoise's house," he said, after they had walked +a little distance.</p> + +<p>"That is just where we are going," said Perrine. "We are there now. +Let me take your hand and guide you, and please don't speak. We have +some stairs to go up, but they are quite easy and straight. When we +get to the top of these stairs I shall open a door and we shall go +into a room for just one moment."</p> + +<p>"What do you want me to see ... when I can't see anything?" he said.</p> + +<p>"There will be no need for you to see," replied Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Then why come?"</p> + +<p>"I want you here," said Perrine earnestly. "Here are the stairs. Now +step up, please."</p> + +<p>They climbed up the stairs and Perrine opened a<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> door and gently drew +M. Vulfran inside a room and closed the door again.</p> + +<p>They stood in a suffocating, evil-smelling room.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" asked a weary voice.</p> + +<p>Pressing his hand, Perrine warned M. Vulfran not to speak.</p> + +<p>The same voice spoke:</p> + +<p>"Get into bed, La Noyelle. How late you are."</p> + +<p>This time M. Vulfran clasped Perrine's hand in a sign for them to +leave the place.</p> + +<p>She opened the door and they went down, while a murmur of voices +accompanied them. When they reached the street M. Vulfran spoke: "You +wanted me to know what that room was the first night when you slept +there?"</p> + +<p>"I wanted you to know what kind of a place all the women who work for +you have to sleep in. They are all alike in Maraucourt and the other +villages. You have stood in one of these dreadful rooms; all the +others are like it. Think of your women and children, your factory +hands, who are breathing that poisoned air. They are slowly dying. +They are almost all weak and sick."</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran was silent. He did not speak again, neither did Perrine. +When they entered the hall he bade her good night, and guided by +Bastien, he went to his own room.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h4>GRANDFATHER FINDS PERRINE</h4> + +<p class="cap">ONE year had passed since Perrine had arrived at Maraucourt on that +radiant Sunday morning. What a miserable lonely little girl she had +been then.</p> + +<p>The day was just as radiant now, but what a change in Perrine, and, be +it said, in the whole village also. She was now a lovely girl of +fifteen. She knew she was loved and loved for herself, and this is +what gave the deep look of happiness to her eyes.</p> + +<p>And the village! No one would have recognized it now. There were new +buildings, pretty cottages, and a hospital commanding a view of the +surrounding country. Near the factories were two handsome red brick +buildings. These were the crèches where the little children, whose +mothers were working in the factories, were kept. All the little +children had their meals there, and many of them slept there. It was a +home for them.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran had bought up all the old houses, the tumble-down hovels +and huts, and had built new cottages in their places. There was a +large restaurant built where the men and women could get a<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> dinner for +eleven cents, the meal consisting of a soup, stew or roast, bread and +cider.</p> + +<p>Every little cottage, for which the tenant paid one hundred francs a +year, had its own tiny garden in which to grow vegetables for the +family.</p> + +<p>In the road leading to the chateau there was now a fine recreation +ground, which was greatly patronized after the factories had closed. +There were merry-go-rounds, swings, bowling alleys and a stand for the +musicians who played every Saturday and Sunday, and of course on every +holiday. This public park of amusement was used by the people of all +five villages. Monsieur Vulfran had thought it better to have one +place of reunion and recreation. If his people all met together to +enjoy their leisure hours, it would establish good relations and a +bond of friendship between them. At the end of the grounds there was a +fine library with a reading and writing room.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran's relations thought that he had gone mad. Did he intend to +ruin himself? That is to say, ruin them? Some steps ought to be taken +to prevent him from spending his fortune in this manner. His fondness +for that girl was a proof that he was losing his mind. That girl did +not know what she was doing! All their animosity was centered on her. +What did it matter to her that his fortune was being thrown away? But +if Perrine had all the relations against her, she knew that she had M. +Vulfran's friendship, and the family doctor, Doctor Ruchon, Mlle. +Belhomme and Fabry all<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> adored her. +Since the doctor had seen that it +was the "little girl" who had been the means of his patient exerting +this wonderful moral and intellectual energy, his attitude to her +expressed the greatest respect and affection. In the doctor's eyes, +Perrine was a wonderful little girl.</p> + +<p>"She can do a great deal more than I can," he said, shaking his gray +head.</p> + +<p>And Mlle. Belhomme, how proud she was of her pupil! As to Fabry, he +was on the best of terms with her. He had been so closely connected +with her in the good work that had been done, for Fabry had +superintended everything.</p> + +<p>It was half-past twelve. Fabry had not yet arrived. M. Vulfran, +usually so calm, was getting impatient. Luncheon was over and he had +gone into his study with Perrine; every now and again he walked to the +window and listened.</p> + +<p>"The train must be late," he murmured.</p> + +<p>Perrine wanted to keep him away from the window, for there were many +things going on outside in the park about which she did not wish him +to know. With unusual activity, the gardeners were putting great pots +of flowers on the steps and in front of the house. Flags were flying +from the recreation grounds, which could be seen from the windows.</p> + +<p>At last the wheels of a carriage were heard on the drive.</p> + +<p>"There's Fabry," said M. Vulfran. His voice expressed anxiety, but +pleasure at the same time.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fabry came in quickly. He also appeared to be in a somewhat excited +state. He gave a look at Perrine which made her feel uneasy without +knowing why.</p> + +<p>"I got your telegram," said M. Vulfran, "but it was so vague. I want +to be sure. Speak out."</p> + +<p>"Shall I speak before mademoiselle?" asked Fabry, glancing at Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it is as you say."</p> + +<p>It was the first time that Fabry had asked if he could speak before +Perrine. In the state of mind in which she was suddenly thrown, this +precaution only made her the more anxious.</p> + +<p>"The person whom we had lost trace of," said Fabry, without looking at +Perrine, "came on to Paris. There she died. Here is a copy of the +death certificate. It is in the name of Marie Doressany, widow of +Edmond Vulfran Paindavoine."</p> + +<p>With trembling hands the blind man took the paper.</p> + +<p>"Shall I read it to you?" asked Fabry.</p> + +<p>"No, if you have verified the names we will attend to that later. Go +on."</p> + +<p>"I not only got the certificate; I wanted to question the man whom +they call Grain-of-Salt. She died in a room in his house. Then I saw +all those who were present at the poor woman's funeral. There was a +street singer called the Baroness and an old shoemaker called Carp. It +was the miserable existence which she had been forced to live that had +finally killed her. I even saw the doctor who<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> attended her, Dr. +Cendrier. He wanted her to go to the hospital, but she would not be +parted from her daughter. Finally, to complete my investigations, they +sent me to a woman who buys rags and bones. Her name is La Rouquerie. +I could not see her until yesterday, as she had been out in the +country."</p> + +<p>Fabry paused. Then for the first time he turned to Perrine and bowed +respectfully.</p> + +<p>"I saw Palikare, mademoiselle," he said. "He is looking very well."</p> + +<p>Perrine had risen to her feet. For some moments she stood listening, +dazed. Then her eyes filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"I then had to find out what had become of the little daughter," +continued Fabry. "This ragpicker told me that she had met her in the +Chantilly woods and that she was dying of hunger. It was her own +donkey that she sold to the ragpicker who found her."</p> + +<p>"Tell me," cried M. Vulfran, turning his sightless eyes towards +Perrine, who was trembling from head to foot, "why this little girl +did not say who she was? You understand how deeply a little girl can +feel, so can you explain this?"</p> + +<p>Perrine took a few steps towards him.</p> + +<p>"Tell me why she does not come into my arms ... her grandfather's +arms."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpapa," cried Perrine, throwing her arms about his neck. +<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<h4>THE GRATEFUL PEOPLE</h4> + +<p class="cap">FABRY had left the room, leaving the grandfather and his granddaughter +together. For a long time the old man and the girl sat with their arms +about each other. They only spoke now and again, just to exchange a +word of affection.</p> + +<p>"My little granddaughter ... my boy's little girl," murmured the blind +man, stroking her curls.</p> + +<p>"My grandpapa," murmured Perrine, rubbing her soft cheek against his.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" he asked at last.</p> + +<p>"But didn't I try several times?" replied Perrine. "Do you remember +what you said to me the last time I spoke of dear mother and myself. +You said: 'Understand, never speak to me again of those wretched +creatures.'"</p> + +<p>"But could I guess that you were my granddaughter?" he said.</p> + +<p>"If I had come straight to you, don't you think you would have driven +me away and not have listened to me?" asked Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the blind man, sadly, "who knows what I would have done!"</p> + +<p>"I thought so," said Perrine, "and I thought it<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> best not to let you +know me until, like mama said, 'you would get to love me.'"</p> + +<p>"And you have waited so long, and you had so many proofs of my +affection."</p> + +<p>"But was it the affection of a grandfather? I did not dare think so," +said Perrine.</p> + +<p>"When I began to suspect that you were my son's child, I then quickly +got positive proofs, and I gave you every chance to tell me that you +were. Finally I employed Fabry, who, with his investigations, forced +you to throw yourself into my arms. If you had spoken sooner, my +little darling, you would have spared me many doubts."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Perrine sweetly, "but we are so happy now, and doesn't +that prove that what I did was all for the best?"</p> + +<p>"Well, all is well. We will leave it at that. Now tell me all about +your father ... my boy."</p> + +<p>"I cannot speak to you of my father without speaking of my mother," +said Perrine gravely. "They both loved me so much, and I loved them +just the same."</p> + +<p>"My little girl," said the blind man, "what Fabry has just told me of +her has touched me deeply. She refused to go to the hospital where she +might have been cured because she would not leave you alone in +Paris...."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; you would have loved her," cried Perrine; "my darling +mother."</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about her," said the old man, "about them both."<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," said Perrine; "I will make you know her and then you will love +her."</p> + +<p>Perrine told about their life before they lost all their money; then +about their travels through the various countries and the wanderings +over the mountains; then of her father's illness and his death, and +how she and her sick mother journeyed through France with the hope +that they could reach Maraucourt in time before the sick woman died.</p> + +<p>While they were talking they could hear vague sounds outside in the +garden.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter out there?" asked M. Vulfran. Perrine went to the +window. The lawns and drive were black with a crowd of men, women and +children. They were dressed in their Sunday clothes; many of them +carried banners and flags. This crowd, between six and seven thousand +people, reached outside the grounds to the public park, and the murmur +of their voices had reached the ears of the blind man and had turned +his attention from Perrine's story, great though it was.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It is your birthday today," said Perrine, smiling, "and all your men +are here to celebrate it and to thank you for all you have done for +them and their families."</p> + +<p>"Oh!..."</p> + +<p>The blind man walked to the window as though he could see them. He was +recognized and a murmur ran through the crowd.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu</i>," he murmured, "how terrible they would be if they were +against us." For the first time he realized the strength of the masses +which he controlled.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Perrine, "but they are with us because we are with them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, little girl, and it is all due to you," he replied. "This is +very different from the day when the service for your dear father was +held in that empty church."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are all here now," said Perrine, "and this is the Order of +the Day, grandpapa dear: I am to guide you to the steps exactly at two +o'clock. From there everyone will be able to see you. A man +representing each village where you have your factories will come up +the steps, and fatherly old Gathoye in the name of all is to make a +speech."</p> + +<p>At this moment the clock struck two.</p> + +<p>"Now give me your hand, grandpapa, dear," said Perrine.</p> + +<p>They reached the top of the steps and a great cheer broke out. Then +the dear old Gathoye, who was the oldest employé, came forward alone. +He was followed by the five delegates. Ten times the old man had been +made to go over his speech that morning.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Vulfran, sir," he began, "it is to wish you ... it is to +congratulate you ... to congratulate you on...."</p> + +<p>Here he stopped short and began gesticulating with his hands, and the +crowd, who saw his eloquent<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> gestures, +thought that he making an elaborate speech.</p> + +<p>After some vain efforts, during which he scratched his head several +times, he said: "This is how it is: I had a fine speech all ready, but +I've gone and forgot all I got to say. I had to congratulate you and +thank you in the name of all from the bottom of our hearts...."</p> + +<p>He raised his hand solemnly.</p> + +<p>"I swear that's so on the faith of your oldest employé, Gathoye."</p> + +<p>Although the speech was very incoherent, nevertheless it touched M. +Vulfran deeply. With his hand on Perrine's shoulder, he moved forward +to the balustrade. There all could see him from below.</p> + +<p>"My friends," he called out in a loud voice, "your sincere kind wishes +give me the greatest pleasure, all the more so as you bring them to me +on the happiest day of my life, the day when I have found my little +granddaughter, the daughter of my only son whom I have lost. You know +her; you have seen her at the factory. She will go on with the work we +have already begun, and I promise you that your future, and your +children's future, is in good hands."</p> + +<p>Thereupon he leaned down towards Perrine and before she could protest +he lifted her up in his arms that were still strong, and presented her +to the crowd, then kissed her tenderly.</p> + +<p>Then a deafening cheer rang out. It was continued for several minutes. +Cheers came from the mouths of seven thousand men, women and +children.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> Then, as the Order +of the Day had been previously arranged, +a line was formed and in single file they passed before their old +chief and his granddaughter. With a bow and a hearty wish each man +passed by.</p> + +<p>"Ah, grandpapa, if you could only see their kind faces!" cried +Perrine.</p> + +<p>But there were some faces that were not exactly radiant. The two +nephews certainly looked very glum when, after the ceremony, they came +up to their cousin to offer their congratulations.</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Talouel, who did not mean to lose any time in paying +court to the young heiress, "I had always supposed...."</p> + +<p>The excitement of the day proved too much for M. Vulfran. The doctor +was called in.</p> + +<p>"You can understand, doctor," said the blind man anxiously, "how much +I want to see my little granddaughter. You must get me into a state so +that I can have this operation."</p> + +<p>"That is just it," said the doctor cheerily, "you must not have all +this excitement. You must be perfectly calm. Now that this beautiful +weather has come, you must go out, but you must keep quiet, and I +guarantee that as soon as your cough has gone we shall be able to have +a successful operation."</p> + +<p>And the doctor's words came true. A month after M. Vulfran's birthday +two specialists came down from Paris to perform the operation.</p> + +<p>When they wished to put him under an anesthetic he refused.</p> + +<p>"If my granddaughter will have the courage to<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> hold my hand," he said, +"you will see that I will be brave. Is it very painful?"</p> + +<p>They would use cocaine to alleviate the pain.</p> + +<p>The operation was over. Then came five or six days of waiting. The +patient was kept in a dark room. Then at last the grandfather was +allowed to see his little granddaughter.</p> + +<p>"Ah, if I had only had my eyes," he cried as he gazed at Perrine's +beautiful little face, "I should have recognized her at the first +glance. What fools! Couldn't anyone have seen the likeness to her +father? This time Talouel would have been right if he had said that he +'supposed'...."</p> + +<p>They did not let him use his eyes for long. Again the bandage was put +on and was kept on for thirty days. Then one of the oculists who had +remained at the chateau went up to Paris to select the glasses which +would enable him to read and see at a distance.</p> + +<p>What M. Vulfran desired most, now that he had seen Perrine's sweet +face, was to go out and see his works, but this needed great +precaution, and the trip had to be postponed for a time, for he did +not wish to be closed up in a landau with the windows up, but to use +his old phaeton and be driven by Perrine and show himself with her +everywhere. For that they had to wait for a warm, sunny day.</p> + +<p>At last the day they wanted came. The sky was blue, the air soft and +warm. After luncheon Perrine gave the order to Bastien for the phaeton +with old Coco to be at the door.<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, at once, mademoiselle," he said with a smile.</p> + +<p>Perrine was surprised at the tone of his reply and his smile; but she +paid no more attention to it, as she was busy fussing about her +grandfather so that he would not take cold.</p> + +<p>Presently Bastien came to say that the phaeton was ready. Perrine's +eyes did not leave her grandfather as he walked forwards and down the +steps alone. When they reached the last step a loud bray made her +start. She looked up.</p> + +<p>There stood a donkey harnessed to a phaeton! A donkey, and that donkey +was like Palikare, a Palikare shiny and glossy, with polished shoes +and adorned with a beautiful yellow harness with blue tassels. The +donkey, with his neck stretched out, continued to bray. In spite of +the groom's hold upon him he turned and tried to get to Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Palikare!" she cried.</p> + +<p>She flew to him and flung her arms around his neck.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpapa, what a lovely surprise!" she cried, dancing around her +dear Palikare.</p> + +<p>"You don't owe it to me," said her grandfather. "Fabry bought it from +that ragpicker to whom you sold it. The office staff offer it as a +gift to their old comrade."</p> + +<p>"Oh, hasn't Monsieur Fabry got a good, kind heart!" cried Perrine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he thought of it, but your cousins did not," said M. Vulfran. "I +have ordered a pretty cart<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> from Paris for him. +This phaeton is not the thing for him."</p> + +<p>They got up into the carriage and Perrine took the reins delightedly.</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go first, grandpapa?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, to the log cabin," he said. "Don't you think I want to see the +little nest where you once lived, my darling?"</p> + +<p>He referred to the cabin on the island where she had lived for a time +the preceding year. It remained fondly in his mind. She drove on to +the entrance and helped her grandfather alight at the path.</p> + +<p>The cabin seemed just the same as when Perrine left it.</p> + +<p>"How strange," said M. Vulfran, "that only a few steps from a great +industrial center you were able to live the life of a savage here."</p> + +<p>"In India we led a real savage life," said Perrine. "Everything around +us belonged to us there, but here, I had no right to this and I was +often very afraid."</p> + +<p>After M. Vulfran had inspected the little log hut he wanted to see the +crèche at Maraucourt.</p> + +<p>He thought that he would easily recognize it, as he had so often +discussed the plans with Fabry, but when he found himself at the +entrance, and was able to see at a glance all the other rooms, the +dormitory where the little babies were asleep in their rose and blue +cribs according to the sex, the playroom where those who could walk +were playing, the<span class='pagenum'> +<a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> kitchen, the lavatory, +he was surprised and delighted.</p> + +<p>Using large glass doors, the architect had cleverly made his plans so +that from the first room the mothers could see all that went on in the +other rooms where they were not allowed to enter.</p> + +<p>In the nursery the children sprang forward and jumped upon Perrine, +showing her the playthings that they had in their hands.</p> + +<p>"I see that you are known here," said M. Vulfran.</p> + +<p>"Known!" replied Mlle. Belhomme, greeting them. "She is loved by all; +she is a little mother to them, and no one can play like she can."</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran put his arms affectionately around his granddaughter as they +went on to the carriage.</p> + +<p>They returned home slowly as evening fell. Then as they passed from +one hill to another, they found themselves overlooking the surrounding +country, where new roofs and tall chimneys could be seen everywhere.</p> + +<p>M. Vulfran took Perrine's hand.</p> + +<p>"All that is your work, child," he said; "I only thought of business. +See what you have done. But so that this can all be continued in the +years to come, we shall have to find you a husband, one who will be +worthy of you, who will work for us. We will not ask anything more of +him. I think one day we shall find the right man and we shall all be +happy ... en famille...."</p> + +<h4>THE END</h4> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2 class="sans">THE BERRY PATCH</h2> +<hr class="fine" /> +<h6>JOSEPHINE LAWRENCE</h6> +<hr class="fine" /> +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Illustrated. Beautiful cloth binding, +stamped in gold and jacket in colors.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><b>Price, $1.50 Net.</b></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/illus336d.jpg" width="200" height="255" +alt="Line drawing of Berry Patch book cover" +title="Line drawing of Berry Patch book cover" /> +</div> + +<p><i>The Berry family home was called the Berry Patch +because of the "cross-patch" dispositions of the +children, but, at heart, they all wanted to be right, +and so the clash of experiences at last brought good +results. In the process of interesting events, the +reform of the family brought about the reform of the +community, with unhappy dispositions changed into +lovable characters, that make good citizens and reach +social success.</i></p> + +<p>Elspeth Oliver is the girl whose energy keeps things whirling in the +Berry Patch. Judge Berry was the great authority on what's what among +them, and John Tabor, the school teacher, was the romantic character +in the community. All the human excitements of pride and self-will +enter into the various ambitions. Even generous impulses were taught +restraint in the experiences of various kinds, showing that there is +an appropriate time and place for everything.</p> + +<p>The Berry Patch children did not get into mischief from any desire to +make trouble, but because a surplus of energy was engaged in making +discoveries. However, the greatest of all discoveries was that +experience is a dear teacher, and random experiences sometimes cost +many tears. Human nature in the "Berry Patch" is revealed in so many +ways that it makes profitable and interesting reading for those who +are troubled with household troubles.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i></p> + +<hr class="rule" /> + +<p class="sanscent"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, +PUBLISHERS New York</b><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h2 class="sans">ROSEMARY</h2> +<hr class="fine" /> +<h6>JOSEPHINE LAWRENCE</h6> +<hr class="fine" /> +<p style="text-align: center;"><i>12mo. Illustrated, Beautiful cloth binding, +stamped in gold with +cover inlay and jacket in colors.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><b>Price $1.50 Net.</b></i></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/illus337b.jpg" width="187" height="246" +alt="Line drawing of Rosemary Book Cover" +title="Line drawing of Rosemary Book Cover" /> +</div> + +<p><i>This lively story of charming little girls awakens the fancy and +stimulates the ambition of all little readers to be approved of their +associates, and to win the admiration of their worthiest friends. The +inspiration to do one's best in both work and play, with due regard +for the comfort and welfare of others, is one of the fine merits of +this story.</i></p> + +<p class="sans"><b>ROSEMARY</b></p> + +<p>Rosemary Willis is twelve years old, the eldest of three sisters. She +is charming, quick and radiant, with a snappy temper. As she is the +responsible one, she has many hard struggles to do the right thing in +the right way. Sarah is two years younger. She is the peculiar one, +with her love for all kinds of animals about the farm, and her +unsocial, stubborn disposition. Her unruly ideas lead her into +numerous troubles before she changes her mind. Shirley is the baby and +pet of six years. As she gets her own way so often, she is badly +spoiled and receives many hard knocks before she begins to appreciate +the comfort and interest of others. Dr. Hugh is their big brother, who +has the care of them in the absence of their parents, and he ranges in +their estimation all the way from terrible tyrant to wonderful, +necessary brother. There are others who help complicate as well as +untangle troubles, and fill up the experience of the story with +interesting glimpses of life.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i></p> + +<hr class="rule" /> + +<p class="sanscent"><b>CUPPLES & +LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><b><i>Transcriber's Note:</i></b> Some spelling variations have been +standardised to agree with the original French version of "En Famille". +For example "Madamoiselle" and "Mademoiselle" have been changed to +Mademoiselle exclusively. Dr Cendrier, rather than Centrier, is correct +according to the original French version, so Centrier has been changed to +Cendrier.<br /><br /> In the fourth last paragraph "daughter" has been +corrected to "granddaughter".<br /><br /> Some spelling, punctuation and +grammatical errors have been corrected where detected. +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nobody's Girl, by Hector Malot + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOBODY'S GIRL *** + +***** This file should be named 27690-h.htm or 27690-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/9/27690/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jen Haines and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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