es.

"Why, yes, good Cabassu, it's me. I've just come. And I'm at work
already, as you see. It made my heart bleed to see all this mess."

"So you've come for the sitting, have you?"

"What sitting?"

"Why, the great sitting of the Corps Legislatif. This is the day."

"Faith, no. What difference do you suppose that can make to me? I don't
understand anything about such things. No, I came because I wanted to
know my little Jansoulets, and then, I was beginning to be uneasy. I've
written two or three times now without getting any answer. I was afraid
there might be a child sick, or that Bernard's business was in a bad
way--all sorts of uncomfortable ideas. I had an attack of great black
anxiety, and I started. Everybody's well here, so they tell me?"

"Why, yes, Madame Francoise. Everybody 's exceedingly well, thank God!"

"And Bernard? His business? Is it going along to suit him?"

"Oh! you know a man always has his little crosses in this life; however,
I don't think he has any reason to complain. But now I think of it, you
must be hungry. I'll go and send you something to eat."

He was about to ring, much more self-assured and at home than the old
mother. But she checked him.

"No, no, I don't need anything. I still have some of my luncheon left."

She placed two figs and a crust of bread, taken from her basket, on the
table, and continued to talk as she ate:

"And what about your affairs, little one? It seems to me you've spruced
up mightily since the last time you came to the Bourg. What linen, what
clothes! What department are you in?"

"I am professor of massage," said Aristide gravely.

"You a professor!" she exclaimed, with respectful amazement; but she
dared not ask him what he taught, and Cabassu, somewhat embarrassed by
her questions, hastened to change the subject.

"Suppose I go and fetch the children? Hasn't any one told them their
grandmother was here?"

"I didn't want to take them away from their work. But I believe the
lesson is over now. Listen."

On the other side of the door they heard the impatient stamping of
school children longing to be dismissed, eager for room and air; and the
old woman listened with delight to the fascinating sounds that increased
her maternal longing ten-fold, but prevented her from doing anything to
satisfy it. At last the door opened. First the tutor appeared, an abbe
with a pointed nose and prominent cheek-bones, whom we have seen at the
state breakfasts