up, and open-mouthed, regarded the corpse for a long time, while
the daughter-in-law of the dead woman, with her handkerchief to her face,
pretended to be sobbing piteously.

When she turned about to walk away, whom should she perceive standing
close to the door but Marie-Louise and Philippe-Auguste, who were
curiously taking stock of things. Then, forgetting to control her
chagrin, she threw herself upon them with uplifted hands, crying out
in a furious voice, "Will you get out of this, you filthy brats."

Ten minutes later, in going upstairs again with another contingent of
neighbors, she prayed, wept profusely, performed all her duties, and
found once more her two children, who had followed her up stairs. She
again boxed their ears soundly, but the next time she paid no heed to
them, and at each fresh arrival of visitors the two urchins always
followed in the wake, crowded themselves up in a corner, and imitating
slavishly everything they saw their mother do.

When the afternoon came round the crowds of curious people began to
diminish, and soon there were no more visitors. Madame Caravan, returning
to her own apartments, began to make the necessary preparations for the
funeral ceremony, and the defunct was hence left by herself.

The window of the room was open. A torrid heat entered along with the
clouds of dust; the flames of the four candles were flickering in the
direction of the immobile corpse, and upon the cloth which covered the
face, the closed eyes, the two hands stretched out, small flies alighted,
came, went, and careered up and down incessantly, being the only
companions of the old woman during the next hour.

Marie-Louise and Philippe-Auguste, however, had now left the house, and
were running up and down the street. They were soon surrounded by their
playmates, by little girls, especially, who were older, and who were much
more interested to inquire into all the mysteries of life, asking
questions after the manner of persons of great importance.

"Then your grandmother is dead?" "Yes, she died yesterday evening." "How,
in what way did she meet her death?"

Then Marie began to explain, telling all about the candles and the
cadaverous face. It was not long before great curiosity was aroused in
the breasts of all the children, and they asked to be allowed to go
upstairs to look at the departed.

It was not long before Marie-Louise had arranged a group for a first
visit, consisting of five girls a