had caught a cold, and perhaps
she would not be better in time. As for little Pierre, everybody knows
he always misses the train. You cannot blame him for it. It is
his misfortune, not his fault. His mother is unpunctual by nature.
Everywhere and always little Pierre arrives after everybody else; he has
never in his life seen the beginning of anything. This has given him a
dull, resigned look.

The dinner is served; ladies and gentlemen, take your places! Therese
presides. She is thoughtful and serious; the housewifely instinct is
awaking in her bosom. Pierre carves valiantly. Nose in the dish and
elbows above his head, he struggles to divide the leg of a chicken. Why,
his feet even take their part in the tremendous effort. Mademoiselle
Marthe eats elegantly, without any ado or any noise, just like a
grown-up lady. Pauline is not so particular; she eats how she can and as
much as she can.

Therese, now serving her guests, now one of them herself, is content;
and contentment is better than joy. The little dog Gyp has come to eat
up the scraps, and Therese thinks, as she watches him crunching the
bones, that dogs know nothing of all the dainty ways that make grown-up
dinners, and children's too, so refined and delightful.

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