You need at least a
hundred crowns to begin housekeeping, and I shall have to work five or
six years to save that much."
"Poor girl! I wish Pere Maurice would let me have a hundred crowns to
give you."
"Thank you very much, Germain. What do you suppose people would say
about me?"
"What could they say? everybody knows that I'm an old man and can't
marry you. So they wouldn't imagine that I--that you--"
"Look, ploughman! here's your son waking up," said little Marie.
IX
THE EVENING PRAYER
Petit-Pierre had sat up, and was looking all about with a thoughtful
expression.
"Ah! the rascal never does anything else when he hears anybody eating!"
said Germain; "a cannon-shot wouldn't wake him, but move your jaws in
his neighborhood, and he opens his eyes at once."
"You must have been like that at his age," said little Marie, with a
mischievous smile. "Well, my little Pierre, are you looking for the top
of your cradle? It's made of green leaves to-night, my child; but your
father's having his supper, all the same. Do you want to sup with him? I
haven't eaten your share; I thought you would probably claim it!"
"Marie, I insist on your eating," cried the ploughman; "I shan't eat any
more. I am a glutton, a boor; you go without on our account, and it's
not right; I'm ashamed of myself.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69