to keep back her tears;
"he was running toward the clearing with Soulas' children, and I felt
sure that he had been away from home a long time, for he was hungry and
was eating wild plums and blackberries. I gave him the bread I had for
lunch, and he said, 'Thank you, dear Marie; when you come to our house,
I will give you some cake.' He is a dear little child, Germain."

"Yes, he is," answered the laborer; "and there is nothing I would not do
for him. If his grandmother had not more sense than I, I could not have
helped taking him with me, when I saw him crying as though his poor
little heart would burst."

"Then why did you not take him, Germain? He, would have been very little
trouble. He is so good when you please him."

"He would probably have been in the way in the place where I am going.
At least Father Maurice thought so. On the other hand, I should have
thought it well to see how they received him. For no one could help
being kind to such a nice child. But at home they said that I must not
begin by showing off all the cares of the household. I don't know why I
speak of this to you, little Marie; you can't understand."

"Oh, yes, I do; I know that you are going away to marry; my mother spoke
to me about it, and told me not to mention it to a soul, either at home
or at my destination, and you need not be afraid; I shall not breathe a
word about it."

"You are very right. For the deed is n't done yet. Perhaps I shall not
suit this woman."

"I hope you will, Germain; why should you not suit her?"

"Who knows? I have three children, and that is a heavy burden for a
woman who is not their mother."

"Very true. But are not your children like other children?"

"Do you think so?"

"They are lovely as little angels, and so well brought up that you can't
find better children."

"There 's Sylvain. He is none too obedient."

"He is so very little. He can't help being naughty. But he is very
bright."

"He is bright it is true, and very brave. He is not afraid of cows
nor bulls, and if he were given his own way, he would be climbing on
horseback already with his elder brother."

"Had I been in your place, I would have taken the eldest boy along.
Surely people would have liked you at once for having such a pretty
child."

"Yes, if a woman is fond of children. But if she is not."

"Are there women who don't love children?"

"Not many, I think, but still there are some, and that is what troubles
me."

"