第12章

"Butafearcametome：’Howcanyoumeasureherunlessyouputherintotheliquid？’

"Thenheexplainedhisidea，notwithoutdifficultyforhewasfull.Hesaidtome：’Itakeabarrel，andfillitwithwatertothebrim.Iputherinit.Allthewaterthatcomesoutwewillmeasure，thatisthewaytofixit.’

"Isaid：’Isee，Iunderstand.Butthiswaterthatoverflowswillrunaway;howareyougoingtogatheritup？’

"Thenhebeganstuffingmeandexplainedtomethatallweshouldhavetodowouldbetorefillthebarrelwiththewaterhiswifehaddisplacedassoonassheshouldhaveleft.Allthewaterweshouldpourinwouldbethemeasure.Isupposedabouttenpails;thatwouldbeacubicmetre.

Heisn’tafool，allthesame，whenheisdrunk，thatoldhorse.

"Tobebrief，wereachedhishouseandItookalookatitsmistress.A

beautifulwomanshecertainlywasnot.Anyonecanseeher，fortheresheis.Isaidtomyself：’Iamdisappointed，butnevermind，shewillbeofvalue;handsomeorugly，itisallthesame，isitnot，monsieurlepresident？’AndthenIsawthatshewasasthinasarail.Isaidtomyself：’Shewillnotmeasurefourhundredlitres.’Iunderstandthematter，itbeinginliquids.

"Shetoldyouabouttheproceeding.Ievenletherkeeponherchemiseandstockings，tomyowndisadvantage.

"Whenthatwasdonesheranaway.Isaid：’Lookout，Brument！sheisescaping.’

"Hereplied：’Donotbeafraid.Iwillcatchherallright.Shewillhavetocomebacktosleep，Iwillmeasurethedeficit.’

"Wemeasured.Notfourpailfuls.Ha，Ha，Ha！"

Thewitnessbegantolaughsopersistentlythatagendarmewasobligedtopunchhimintheback.Havingquieteddown，heresumed：

"Inshort，Brumentexclaimed：’Nothingdoing，thatisnotenough.’I

bawledandbawled，andbawledagain，hepunchedme，Ihitback.ThatwouldhavekeptontilltheDayofjudgment，seeingwewerebothdrunk.

"Thencamethegendarmes！Theysworeatus，theytookusofftoprison.

Iwantdamages."

Hesatdown.

Brumentconfirmedineveryparticularthestatementsofhisaccomplice.

Thejury，inconsternation，retiredtodeliberate.

Attheendofanhourtheyreturnedaverdictofacquittalforthedefendants，withsomeseverestricturesonthedignityofmarriage，andestablishingthepreciselimitationsofbusinesstransactions.

Brumentwenthometothedomesticroofaccompaniedbyhiswife.

Cornuwentbacktohisbusiness.

THEIMPOLITESEX

MadamedeX.toMadamedeL.

ETRETAT，Friday.

MyDearAunt：

Iamcomingtoseeyouwithoutanyoneknowingit.IshallbeatLesFresnesonthe2dofSeptember，thedaybeforethehuntingseasonopens，asIdonotwanttomissit，sothatImayteasethesegentlemen.Youaretoogood，aunt，andyouwillallowthem，asyouusuallydowhentherearenostrangeguests，tocometotable，underpretextoffatigue，withoutdressingorshavingfortheoccasion.

Theyaredelighted，ofcourse，whenIamnotpresent.ButIshallbethereandwillholdareview，likeageneral，atdinnertime;and，ifI

findasingleoneofthematallcarelessindress，nomatterhowlittle，Imeantosendthemdowntothekitchenwiththeservants.

Themenofto—dayhavesolittleconsiderationforothersandsolittlegoodmannersthatonemustbealwaysseverewiththem.Weliveindeedinanageofvulgarity.Whentheyquarrel，theyinsulteachotherintermsworthyoflongshoremen，and，inourpresence，theydonotconductthemselvesevenaswellasourservants.Itisattheseasidethatyouseethismostclearly.Theyaretobefoundthereinbattalions，andyoucanjudgetheminthelump.Oh！whatcoarsebeingstheyare！

Justimagine，inatrain，agentlemanwholookedwell，asIthoughtatfirstsight，thankstohistailor，carefullytookoffhisbootsinordertoputonapairofoldshoes！Another，anoldmanwhowasprobablysomewealthyupstart（thesearethemostill—bred），whilesittingoppositetome，hadthedelicacytoplacehistwofeetontheseatquiteclosetome.

Thisisapositivefact.

Atthewatering—placesthevulgarityisunrestrained.Imustheremakeoneadmission——thatmyindignationisperhapsduetothefactthatIamnotaccustomedtoassociate，asarule，withthesortofpeopleonecomesacrosshere，forIshouldbelessshockedbytheirmannersifIhadtheopportunityofobservingthemoftener.IntheofficeofthehotelIwasnearlythrowndownbyayoungmanwhosnatchedthekeyovermyhead.

Anotherknockedagainstmesoviolentlywithoutbeggingmypardonorliftinghishat，comingawayfromaballattheCasino，thatitgavemeapaininthechest.Itisthesamewaywithallofthem.Watchthemaddressingladiesontheterrace;theyscarcelyeverbow.Theymerelyraisetheirhandstotheirheadgear.But，indeed，astheyareallmoreorlessbald，itisthebestplan.

Butwhatexasperatesanddisgustsmeparticularlyisthelibertytheytakeoftalkinginpublic，withoutanykindofprecaution，aboutthemostrevoltingadventures.Whentwomenaretogether，theyrelatetoeachother，inthebroadestlanguageandwiththemostabominablecommentsreallyhorriblestories，withoutcaringintheslightestdegreewhetherawoman’seariswithinreachoftheirvoices.Yesterday，onthebeach，I

wasforcedtoleavetheplacewhereIwassittinginordernottobeanylongertheinvoluntaryconfidanteofanobsceneanecdote，toldinsuchimmodestlanguagethatIfeltjustashumiliatedasindignantathavingheardit.Wouldnotthemostelementarygood—breedingteachthemtospeakinalowertoneaboutsuchmatterswhenwearenearathand.

Etretatis，moreover，thecountryofgossipandscandal.Fromfivetoseveno’clockyoucanseepeoplewanderingaboutinquestofscandal，whichtheyretailfromgrouptogroup.Asyouremarkedtome，mydearaunt，tittle—tattleisthemarkofpettyindividualsandpettyminds.

Itisalsotheconsolationofwomenwhoarenolongerlovedorsoughtafter.Itisenoughformetoobservethewomenwhoarefondestofgossipingtobepersuadedthatyouarequiteright.

TheotherdayIwaspresentatamusicaleveningattheCasino，givenbyaremarkableartist，MadameMasson，whosingsinatrulydelightfulmanner.ItooktheopportunityofapplaudingtheadmirableCoquelin，aswellastwocharmingvaudevilleperformers，M————andMeillet.Imet，onthisoccasion，allthebatherswhowereatthebeach.Itisnogreatdistinctionthisyear.

NextdayIwenttolunchatYport.Inoticedatallmanwithabeard，comingoutofalargehouselikeacastle.Itwasthepainter，JeanPaulLaurens.Heisnotsatisfiedapparentlywithimprisoningthesubjectsofhispictures，heinsistsonimprisoninghimself.

ThenIfoundmyselfseatedontheshingleclosetoamanstillyoung，ofgentleandrefinedappearance，whowasreadingpoetry.Buthereaditwithsuchconcentration，withsuchpassion，Imaysay，thathedidnotevenraisehiseyestowardsme.Iwassomewhatastonishedandaskedtheproprietorofthebaths，withoutappearingtobemuchconcerned，thenameofthisgentleman.Ilaughedtomyselfalittleatthisreaderofrhymes;heseemedbehindtheage，foraman.Thisperson，Ithought，mustbeasimpleton.Well，aunt，Iamnowinfatuatedaboutthisstranger.Justfancy，hisnameisSullyPrudhomme！Iwentbackandsatdownbesidehimagainsoastogetagoodlookathim.Hisfacehasanexpressionofcalmnessandofpenetration.Somebodycametolookforhim，andIheardhisvoice，whichissweetandalmosttimid.Hewouldcertainlynottellobscenestoriesaloudinpublicorknockupagainstladieswithoutapologizing.Heisassuredlyamanofrefinement，buthisrefinementisofanalmostmorbid，sensitivecharacter，Iwilltrythiswintertogetanintroductiontohim.

Ihavenomorenews，mydearaunt，andImustfinishthisletterinhaste，asthemailwillsoonclose.Ikissyourhandsandyourcheeks.

Yourdevotedniece，BERTHEDEX.

P.S.——Ishouldadd，however，bywayofjustificationofFrenchpoliteness，thatourfellow—countrymenare，whentravelling，modelsofgoodmannersincomparisonwiththeabominableEnglish，whoseemtohavebeenbroughtupinastable，socarefularetheynottodiscommodethemselvesinanyway，whiletheyalwaysdiscommodetheirneighbors.

MadamedeL.toMadamedeX.

LESFRESNES，Saturday.

MyDearChild：

Manyofthethingsyouhavesaidtomeareverysensible，butthatdoesnotpreventyoufrombeingwrong.Likeyou，Iusedformerlytofeelveryindignantattheimpolitenessofmen，who，asIsupposed，constantlytreatedmewithneglect;but，asIgrewolderandreflectedoneverything，puttingasidecoquetry，andobservingthingswithouttakinganypartinthemmyself，Iperceivedthismuch——thatifmenarenotalwayspolite，womenarealwaysindescribablyrude.

Weimaginethatweshouldbepermittedtodoanything，mydarling，andatthesametimeweconsiderthatwehavearighttotheutmostrespect，andinthemostflagrantmannerwecommitactionsdevoidofthatelementarygood—breedingofwhichyouspeaksofeelingly.

Ifind，onthecontrary，thatmenconsiderusmuchmorethanweconsiderthem.Besides，darling，menmustneedsbe，andare，whatwemakethem.

Inastateofsociety，wherewomenarealltruegentlewomen，allmenwouldbecomegentlemen.

Comenow;justobserveandreflect.

Lookattwowomenmeetinginthestreet.Whatanattitudeeachassumestowardstheother！Whatdisparaginglooks！Whatcontempttheythrowintoeachglance！Howtheytosstheirheadswhiletheyinspecteachothertofindsomethingtocondemn！And，ifthefootpathisnarrow，doyouthinkonewomanwouldmakeroomforanother，orwouldbegpardonasshesweepsby？Never！Whentwomenjostleeachotherbyaccidentinsomenarrowlane，eachofthembowsandatthesametimegetsoutoftheother’sway，whilewewomenpressagainsteachotherstomachtostomach，facetoface，insolentlystaringeachotheroutofcountenance.

Lookattwowomenwhoareacquaintancesmeetingonastaircaseoutsidethedoorofafriend’sdrawing—room，oneofthemjustleaving，theotherabouttogoin.Theybegintotalktoeachotherandblockupallthelanding.Ifanyonehappenstobecomingupbehindthem，manorwoman，doyouimaginethattheywillputthemselveshalfaninchoutoftheirway？

Never！never！

Iwaswaitingmyself，withmywatchinmyhands，onedaylastwinteratacertaindrawing—roomdoor.And，behindme，twogentlemenwerealsowaitingwithoutshowinganyreadiness，asIdid，tolosetheirtemper.

Thereasonwasthattheyhadlonggrownaccustomedtoourunconscionableinsolence.

Theotherday，beforeleavingParis，Iwenttodinewithnolessapersonthanyourhusband，intheChampsElysees，inordertoenjoythefreshair.Everytablewasoccupied.Thewaiteraskedustowaitandtherewouldsoonbeavacanttable.

AtthatmomentInoticedanelderlyladyofnoblefigure，who，havingpaidforherdinner，seemedonthepointofgoingaway.Shesawme，scannedmefromheadtofoot，anddidnotbudge.Formorethanaquarterofanhourshesatthere，immovable，puttingonhergloves，andcalmlystaringatthosewhowerewaitinglikemyself.Now，twoyoungmenwhowerejustfinishingtheirdinner，havingseenmeintheirturn，hastilysummonedthewaiter，paidwhattheyowed，andatonceofferedmetheirseats，eveninsistingonstandingwhilewaitingfortheirchange.And，bearinmind，myfairniece，thatIamnolongerpretty，likeyou，butoldandwhite—haired.

Itiswe，yousee，whoshouldbetaughtpoliteness，andthetaskwouldbesuchadifficultonethatHerculeshimselfwouldnotbeequaltoit.YouspeaktomeaboutEtretatandaboutthepeoplewhoindulgedin"tittle—

tattle"alongthebeachofthatdelightfulwatering—place.Itisaspotnowlosttome，athingofthepast，butIfoundmuchamusementthereindaysgoneby.

Therewereonlyafewofus，peopleingoodsociety，reallygoodsociety，andafewartists，andweallfraternized.Wepaidlittleattentiontogossipinthosedays.

AswehadnomonotonousCasino，wherepeopleonlygatherforshow，wheretheywhisper，wheretheydancestupidly，wheretheysucceedinthoroughlyboringoneanother，wesoughtsomeotherwayofpassingoureveningspleasantly.Now，justguesswhatcameintotheheadofoneofourhusbands？Nothinglessthantogoanddanceeachnightinoneofthefarm—housesintheneighborhood.

Westartedoutinagroupwithastreet—organ，generallyplayedbyLePoittevin，thepainter，withacottonnightcaponhishead.Twomencarriedlanterns.Wefollowedinprocession，laughingandchatteringlikeapackoffools.

Wewokeupthefarmerandhisservant—maidsandfarmhands.Wegotthemtomakeonionsoup（horror！），andwedancedundertheappletrees，tothesoundofthebarrel—organ.Thecockswakingupbegantocrowinthedarknessoftheout—houses;thehorsesbeganprancingonthestrawoftheirstables.Thecoolairofthecountrycaressedourcheekswiththesmellofgrassandofnew—mownhay.

Howlongagoitis！Howlongagoitis！Itisthirtyyearssincethen！

Idonotwantyou，mydarling，tocomefortheopeningofthehuntingseason.Whyspoilthepleasureofourfriendsbyinflictingonthemfashionabletoilettesonthisdayofvigorousexerciseinthecountry？

Thisistheway，child，thatmenarespoiled.Iembraceyou.Youroldaunt，GENEVIEVEDEL.

AWEDDINGGIFT

ForalongtimeJacquesBourdillerehadswornthathewouldnevermarry，buthesuddenlychangedhismind.Ithappenedsuddenly，onesummer，attheseashore.

Onemorningashelaystretchedoutonthesand，watchingthewomencomingoutofthewater，alittlefoothadstruckhimbyitsneatnessanddaintiness.Heraisedhiseyesandwasdelightedwiththewholeperson，althoughinfacthecouldseenothingbuttheanklesandtheheademergingfromaflannelbathrobecarefullyheldclosed.Hewassupposedtobesensualandafastliver.Itwasthereforebythemeregraceoftheformthathewasatfirstcaptured.Thenhewasheldbythecharmoftheyounggirl’ssweetmind，sosimpleandgood，asfreshashercheeksandlips.

Hewaspresentedtothefamilyandpleasedthem.Heimmediatelyfellmadlyinlove.WhenhesawBertheLannisinthedistance，onthelongyellowstretchofsand，hewouldtingletotherootsofhishair.Whenhewasnearherhewouldbecomesilent，unabletospeakoreventothink，withakindofthrobbingathisheart，andabuzzinginhisears，andabewildermentinhismind.Wasthatlove？

Hedidnotknoworunderstand，buthehadfullydecidedtohavethischildforhiswife.

Herparentshesitatedforalongtime，restrainedbytheyoungman’sbadreputation.Itwassaidthathehadanoldsweetheart，oneofthesebindingattachmentswhichonealwaysbelievestobebrokenoffandyetwhichalwayshold.

Besides，forashorterorlongerperiod，helovedeverywomanwhocamewithinreachofhislips.

Thenhesettleddownandrefused，evenonce，toseetheonewithwhomhehadlivedforsolong.Afriendtookcareofthiswoman’spensionandassuredheranincome.Jacquespaid，buthedidnotevenwishtohearofher，pretendingeventoignorehername.Shewrotehimletterswhichheneveropened.Everyweekhewouldrecognizetheclumsywritingoftheabandonedwoman，andeveryweekagreaterangersurgedwithinhimagainsther，andhewouldquicklyteartheenvelopeandthepaper，withoutopeningit，withoutreadingonesingleline，knowinginadvancethereproachesandcomplaintswhichitcontained.

Asnoonehadmuchfaithinhisconstancy，thetestwasprolongedthroughthewinter，andBerthe’shandwasnotgrantedhimuntilthespring.TheweddingtookplaceinParisatthebeginningofMay.

Theyoungcouplehaddecidednottotaketheconventionalweddingtrip，butafteralittledancefortheyoungercousins，whichwouldnotbeprolongedaftereleveno’clock，inorderthatthisdayoflengthyceremoniesmightnotbetootiresome，theyoungpairweretospendthefirstnightintheparentalhomeandthen，onthefollowingmorning，toleaveforthebeachsodeartotheirhearts，wheretheyhadfirstknownandlovedeachother.

Nighthadcome，andthedancewasgoingoninthelargeparlor.’ThetwohadretiredintoalittleJapaneseboudoirhungwithbrightsilksanddimlylightedbythesoftraysofalargecoloredlanternhangingfromtheceilinglikeagiganticegg.Throughtheopenwindowthefreshairfromoutsidepassedovertheirfaceslikeacaress，forthenightwaswarmandcalm，fulloftheodorofspring.

Theyweresilent，holdingeachother’shandsandfromtimetotimesqueezingthemwithalltheirmight.Shesattherewithadreamylook，feelingalittlelostatthisgreatchangeinherlife，butsmiling，moved，readytocry，oftenalsoalmostreadytofaintfromjoy，believingthewholeworldtobechangedbywhathadjusthappenedtoher，uneasy，sheknewnotwhy，andfeelingherwholebodyandsoulfilledwithanindefinableanddeliciouslassitude.

Hewaslookingatherpersistentlywithafixedsmile.Hewishedtospeak，butfoundnothingtosay，andsosatthere，expressingallhisardorbypressuresofthehand.Fromtimetotimehewouldmurmur：

"Berthe！"Andeachtimeshewouldraisehereyestohimwithalookoftenderness;theywouldlookateachotherforasecondandthenherlook，piercedandfascinatedbyhis，wouldfall.

Theyfoundnothoughtstoexchange.Theyhadbeenleftalone，butoccasionallysomeofthedancerswouldcastarapidglanceatthem，asthoughtheywerethediscreetandtrustywitnessesofamystery.

Adooropenedandaservantentered，holdingonatrayaletterwhichamessengerhadjustbrought.Jacques，trembling，tookthispaper，overwhelmedbyavagueandsuddenfear，themysteriousterrorofswiftmisfortune.

Helookedforalongtimeattheenvelope，thewritingonwhichhedidnotknow，notdaringtoopenit，notwishingtoreadit，withawilddesiretoputitinhispocketandsaytohimself："I’llleavethattillto—

morrow，whenI’mfaraway！"Butononecornertwobigwords，underlined，"Veryurgent，"filledhimwithterror.Saying，"Pleaseexcuseme，mydear，"hetoreopentheenvelope.Hereadthepaper，grewfrightfullypale，lookedoveritagain，and，slowly，heseemedtospellitoutwordforword.

Whenheraisedhisheadhiswholeexpressionshowedhowupsethewas.Hestammered："Mydear，it’s——it’sfrommybestfriend，whohashad，averygreatmisfortune.Hehasneedofmeimmediately——foramatteroflifeordeath.WillyouexcusemeifIleaveyouforhalfanhour？I’llberightback."

Tremblinganddazed，shestammered："Go，mydear！"nothavingbeenhiswifelongenoughtodaretoquestionhim，todemandtoknow.Hedisappeared.Sheremainedalone，listeningtothedancingintheneighboringparlor.

Hehadseizedthefirsthatandcoathecametoandrusheddownstairsthreestepsatatime.Ashewasemergingintothestreethestoppedunderthegas—jetofthevestibuleandrereadtheletter.Thisiswhatitsaid：

SIR：AgirlbythenameofRavet，anoldsweetheartofyours，itseems，hasjustgivenbirthtoachildthatshesaysisyours.Themotherisabouttodieandisbeggingforyou.Itakethelibertytowriteandaskyouifyoucangrantthislastrequesttoawomanwhoseemstobeveryunhappyandworthyofpity.

Yourstruly，DR.BONNARD.

Whenhereachedthesick—roomthewomanwasalreadyonthepointofdeath.Hedidnotrecognizeheratfirst.Thedoctorandtwonursesweretakingcareofher.Andeverywhereonthefloorwerepailsfulloficeandragscoveredwithblood.Waterfloodedthecarpet;twocandleswereburningonabureau;behindthebed，inalittlewickercrib，thechildwascrying，andeachtimeitwouldmoanthemother，intorture，wouldtrytomove，shiveringunderhericebandages.

Shewasmortallywounded，killedbythisbirth.Herlifewasflowingfromher，and，notwithstandingtheiceandthecare，themercilesshemorrhagecontinued，hasteningherlasthour.

SherecognizedJacquesandwishedtoraiseherarms.Theyweresoweakthatshecouldnotdoso，buttearscourseddownherpallidcheeks.

Hedroppedtohiskneesbesidethebed，seizedoneofherhandsandkisseditfrantically.Then，littlebylittle，hedrewclosetothethinface，whichstartedatthecontact.Oneofthenurseswaslightingthemwithacandle，andthedoctorwaswatchingthemfromthebackoftheroom.

Thenshesaidinavoicewhichsoundedasthoughitcamefromadistance：

"Iamgoingtodie，dear.Promisetostaytotheend.Oh！don’tleavemenow.Don’tleavemeinmylastmoments！"

Hekissedherfaceandherhair，and，weeping，hemurmured："Donotbeuneasy;Iwillstay."

Itwasseveralminutesbeforeshecouldspeakagain，shewassoweak.

Shecontinued："Thelittleoneisyours.IswearitbeforeGodandonmysoul.IswearitasIamdying！Ihaveneverlovedanothermanbutyou——promisetotakecareofthechild."

Hewastryingtotakethispoorpain—rackedbodyinhisarms.Maddenedbyremorseandsorrow，hestammered："IsweartoyouthatIwillbringhimupandlovehim.Heshallneverleaveme."

ThenshetriedtokissJacques.Powerlesstoliftherhead，sheheldoutherwhitelipsinanappealforakiss.Heapproachedhislipstorespondtothispiteousentreaty.

Assoonasshefeltalittlecalmer，shemurmured："Bringhimhereandletmeseeifyoulovehim."

Hewentandgotthechild.Heplacedhimgentlyonthebedbetweenthem，andthelittleonestoppedcrying.Shemurmured："Don’tmoveanymore！"

Andhewasquiet.Andhestayedthere，holdinginhisburninghandthisotherhandshakinginthechillofdeath，justas，awhileago，hehadbeenholdingahandtremblingwithlove.Fromtimetotimehewouldcastaquickglanceattheclock，whichmarkedmidnight，thenoneo’clock，thentwo.

Thephysicianhadreturned.Thetwonurses，afternoiselesslymovingabouttheroomforawhile，werenowsleepingonchairs.Thechildwasasleep，andthemother，witheyesshut，appearedalsotoberesting.

Suddenly，justaspaledaylightwascreepinginbehindthecurtains，shestretchedoutherarmswithsuchaquickandviolentmotionthatshealmostthrewherbabyonthefloor.Akindofrattlewasheardinherthroat，thenshelayonherbackmotionless，dead.

Thenursessprangforwardanddeclared："Allisover！"

Helookedoncemoreatthiswomanwhomhehadsoloved，thenattheclock，whichpointedtofour，andheranaway，forgettinghisovercoat，intheeveningdress，withthechildinhisarms.

Afterhehadleftheralonetheyoungwifehadwaited，calmlyenoughatfirst，inthelittleJapaneseboudoir.Then，asshedidnotseehimreturn，shewentbacktotheparlorwithanindifferentandcalmappearance，butterriblyanxious.Whenhermothersawheralonesheasked："Whereisyourhusband？"Sheanswered："Inhisroom;heiscomingrightback."

Afteranhour，wheneverybodyhadquestionedher，shetoldabouttheletter，Jacques’upsetappearanceandherfearsofanaccident.

Stilltheywaited.Theguestsleft;onlythenearestrelativesremained.

Atmidnightthebridewasputtobed，sobbingbitterly.Hermotherandtwoaunts，sittingaroundthebed，listenedtohercrying，silentandindespair.Thefatherhadgonetothecommissaryofpolicetoseeifhecouldobtainsomenews.

Atfiveo’clockaslightnoisewasheardinthehall.Adoorwassoftlyopenedandclosed.Thensuddenlyalittlecrylikethemewingofacatwasheardthroughoutthesilenthouse.

AllthewomenstartedforwardandBerthesprangaheadofthemall，pushingherwaypastheraunts，wrappedinabathrobe.

Jacquesstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，paleandoutofbreath，holdinganinfantinhisarms.Thefourwomenlookedathim，astonished;butBerthe，whohadsuddenlybecomecourageous，rushedforwardwithanguishinherheart，exclaiming："Whatisit？What’sthematter？"

Helookedabouthimwildlyandansweredshortly：

"I——Ihaveachildandthemotherhasjustdied."

Andwithhisclumsyhandsheheldoutthescreaminginfant.

Withoutsayingaword，Bertheseizedthechild，kisseditandhuggedittoher.Thensheraisedhertear—filledeyestohim，asking："Didyousaythatthemotherwasdead？"Heanswered："Yes——justnow——inmyarms.

Ihadbrokenwithhersincesummer.Iknewnothing.Thephysiciansentforme."

ThenBerthemurmured："Well，wewillbringupthelittleone."

THERELIC

"TotheAbbeLouisd’Ennemare，atSoissons.

MyDearAbbe.

"Mymarriagewithyourcousinisbrokenoffinthemoststupidway，allonaccountofanidiotictrickwhichIalmostinvoluntarilyplayedmyintedded.InmyperplexityIturntoyou，myoldschoolchum，foryoumaybeabletohelpmeoutofthedifficulty.Ifyoucan，IshallbegratefultoyouuntilIdie.

"YouknowGilberte，or，rather，youthinkyouknowher，butdoweeverunderstandwomen？Alltheiropinions，theirideas，theircreeds，areasurprisetous.Theyareallfulloftwistsandturns，cftheunforeseen，ofunintelligiblearguments，ofdefectivelogicandofobstinateideas，whichseemfinal，butwhichtheyalterbecausealittlebirdcameandperchedonthewindowledge.

"Ineednottellyouthatyourcousinisveryreligious，asshewasbroughtupbytheWhite（orwasittheBlack？）LadiesatNancy.YouknowthatbetterthanIdo，butwhatyouperhapsdonotknowis，thatsheisjustasexcitableaboutothermattersassheisaboutreligion.Herheadfliesaway，justasaleafiswhirledawaybythewind;andsheisatruewoman，or，rather，girl，forsheismovedormadeangryinamoment，startingoffatagallopinaffection，justasshedoesinhatred，andreturninginthesamemanner;andsheispretty——asyouknow，andmorecharmingthanIcansay——asyouwillneverknow.

"Well，webecameengaged，andIadoredher，asIadoreherstill，andsheappearedtoloveme.

"Oneevening，IreceivedatelegramsummoningmetoCologneforaconsultation，whichmightbefollowedbyaseriousanddifficultoperation，andasIhadtostartthenextmorning，IwenttowishGilbertegood—by，andtellherwhyIcouldnotdinewiththemonWednesday，butwoulddosoonFriday，thedayofmyreturn.Ah！BewareofFridays，forIassureyoutheyareunlucky！

"WhenItoldherthatIhadtogotoGermany，Isawthathereyesfilledwithtears，butwhenIsaidIshouldbebackverysoon，sheclappedherhands，andsaid：

"’Iamverygladyouaregoing，then！Youmustbringmebacksomething;

ameretrifle，justasouvenir，butasouvenirthatyouhavechosenforme.YoumustguesswhatIshouldlikebest，doyouhear？AndthenI

shallseewhetheryouhaveanyimagination.’

"Shethoughtforafewmoments，andthenadded：

"’Iforbidyoutospendmorethantwentyfrancsonit.Iwantitfortheintention，andforaremembranceofyourpenetration，andnotforitsintrinsicvalue：

"Andthen，afteranothermoment’ssilence，shesaid，inalowvoice，andwithdowncasteyes：

"’Ifitcostsyounothinginmoney，butissomethingveryingeniousandpretty，Iwill——Iwillkissyou.’

"ThenextdayIwasinCologne.Itwasacaseofaterribleaccident，whichhadplungedawholefamilyintodespair，andadifficultamputationwasnecessary.Theylodgedmeinthehouse;Imightsay，theyalmostlockedmeup，andIsawnobodybutpeopleintears，whoalmostdeafenedmewiththeirlamentations;Ioperatedonamanwhoappearedtobeinamoribundstate，andwhonearlydiedundermyhands，andwithwhomI

remainedtwonights;andthen，whenIsawthattherewasachanceofhisrecovery，Idrovetothestation.Ihad，however，madeamistakeinthetrains，andIhadanhourtowait，andsoIwanderedaboutthestreets，stillthinkingofmypoorpatient，whenamanaccostedme.IdonotknowGerman，andhewastotallyignorantofFrench，butatlastImadeoutthathewasofferingmesomerelics.IthoughtofGilberte，forIknewherfanaticaldevotion，andherewasmypresentreadytohand，soI

followedthemanintoashopwherereligiousobjectswereforsale，andI

boughtasmallpieceofaboneofoneoftheElevenThousandVirgins.

"Thepretendedrelicwasinclosedinacharmingoldsilverbox，andthatdeterminedmychoice，and，puttingmypurchaseintomypocket，Iwenttotherailwaystation，andsoontoParis.

"AssoonasIgothome，Iwishedtoexaminemypurchaseagain，andontakingholdofit，Ifoundthattheboxwasopen，andtherelicmissing！

Isearchedinvaininmypocket，andturneditinsideout;thesmallbitofbone，whichwasnobiggerthanhalfapin，haddisappeared.

"Youknow，mydearlittleAbbe，thatmyfaithisnotveryfervent，but，asmyfriend，youaremagnanimousenoughtoputupwithmylukewarmness，andtoleavemealone，andtowaitforthefuture，soyousay.ButI

absolutelydisbelieveintherelicsofsecondhanddealersinpiety，andyousharemydoubtsinthatrespect.Therefore，thelossofthatbitofsheep’scarcassdidnotgrieveme，andIeasilyprocuredasimilarfragment，whichIcarefullyfastenedinsidemyjewel—box，andthenIwenttoseemyintended.

"Assoonasshesawme，sheranuptome，smilingandeager，and，saidtome：

"’Whathaveyoubroughtme？’

"Ipretendedtohaveforgotten，butshedidnotbelieveme，andImadeherbeg，andevenbeseechme.ButwhenIsawthatshewasdevouredbycuriosity，Igaveherthesacredsilverbox.Sheappearedoverjoyed.

"’Arelic！Oh！Arelic！’

"Andshekissedtheboxpassionately，sothatIwasashamedofmydeception.Shewasnotquitesatisfied，however，andheruneasinesssoonturnedtoterriblefear，andlookingstraightintomyeyes，shesaid：

"’Areyousure—thatitisgenuine？’

"’Absolutelycertain.’

"’Howcanyoubesocertain？’

"Iwastrapped;fortosaythatIhadboughtitofamaninthestreetswouldbemydestruction.WhatwasItosay？Awildideastruckme，andIsaid，inalow，mysteriousvoice：

"’Istoleitforyou.’

"Shelookedatmewithastonishmentanddelightinherlargeeyes.

"’Oh！Youstoleit？Where？’

"’Inthecathedral;intheveryshrineoftheElevenThousandVirgins.’

"Herheartbeatwithpleasure，andshemurmured：

"’Oh！Didyoureallydothat—forme？Tellme—allaboutit！’

"Thatwastheclimax;IcouldnotretractwhatIhadsaid.Imadeupafancifulstory;withprecisedetails：Ihadgiventhecustodianofthebuildingahundredfrancstobeallowedtogoaboutthebuildingbymyself;theshrinewasbeingrepaired，butIhappenedtobethereatthebreakfasthouroftheworkmenandclergy;byremovingasmallpanel，I

hadbeenenabledtoseizeasmallpieceofbone（oh！sosmall），amongaquantityofothers（Isaidaquantity，asIthoughtoftheamountthattheremainsoftheskeletonsofeleventhousandvirginsmustproduce）.

ThenIwenttoagoldsmith’sandboughtacasketworthyoftherelic;andIwasnotsorrytoletherknowthatthesilverboxcostmefivehundredfrancs.

"Butshedidnotthinkofthat;shelistenedtome，trembling，inanecstasy，andwhispering：’HowIloveyou！’shethrewherselfintomyarms.

"Justnotethis：Ihadcommittedsacrilegeforhersake.Ihadcommittedatheft;Ihadviolatedachurch;Ihadviolatedashrine;violatedandstolenholyrelics，andforthatsheadoredme，thoughtmeperfect，tender，divine.Suchiswoman，mydearAbbe，everywoman.

"FortwomonthsIwasthemostadmirableoflovers.Inherroom，shehadmadeakindofmagnificentchapelinwhichtokeepthisbitofmuttonchop，which，asshethought，hadmademecommitthatdivinelove—crime，andsheworkedupherreligiousenthusiasminfrontofiteverymorningandevening.Ihadaskedhertokeepthemattersecret，forfear，asI

said，thatImightbearrested，condemned，andgivenovertoGermany，andshekeptherpromise.

"Well，atthebeginningofthesummer，shewasseizedwithanirresistibledesiretoseethesceneofmyexploit，andsheteasedherfathersopersistently（withouttellinghimhersecretreason），thathetookhertoCologne，butwithouttellingmeoftheirtrip，accordingtohisdaughter’swish.

"IneednottellyouthatIhadnotseentheinteriorofthecathedral.

Idonotknowwherethetomb（iftherebeatomb）oftheElevenThousandVirginsis;andthen，itappears，itisunapproachable，alas！

"Aweekafterward，Ireceivedtenlines，breakingoffourengagement，andthenanexplanatoryletterfromherfather，whomshehad，somewhatlate，takenintoherconfidence.

"Atthesightoftheshrine，shehadsuddenlyseenthroughmytrickeryandmylie，andatthesametimediscoveredmyrealinnocenceofanycrime.Havingaskedthekeeperoftherelicswhetheranyrobberyhadbeencommitted，themanbegantolaugh，andpointedouttothemhowimpossiblesuchacrimewas.But，fromthemomentthatIhadnotplungedmyprofanehandintovenerablerelics，Iwasnolongerworthyofmyfair—

haired，sensitivebetrothed.

"Iwasforbiddenthehouse;Ibeggedandprayedinvain;nothingcouldmovethefairdevotee，andIbecameillfromgrief.Well，lastweek，hercousin，Madamed’Arville，whoisyourcousinalso，sentmewordthatsheshouldliketoseeme，andwhenIcalled，shetoldmeonwhatconditionsImightobtainmypardon，andheretheyare.Imustbringherarelic，areal，authenticrelicofsomevirginandmartyr，certifiedtobesuchbyourHolyFather，thePope，andIamgoingmadfromembarrassmentandanxiety.

"IwillgotoRome，ifneedful，butIcannotcallonthePopeunexpectedly，totellhimmystupidmisadventure;and，besides，Idoubtwhethertheyallowprivateindividualstohaverelics.Couldnotyougivemeanintroductiontosomecardinal，oreventosomeFrenchprelatewhopossessessomeremainsofafemalesaint？Or，perhaps，youmayhavethepreciousobjectshewantsinyourcollection？

"Helpmeoutofmydifficulty，mydearAbbe，andIpromiseyouthatI

willbeconvertedtenyearssoonerthanIotherwiseshouldbe！

"Madamed’Arville，whotakesthematterseriously，saidtometheotherday：

"’PoorGilbertewillnevermarry.’

"Mydearoldschoolmate，willyouallowyourcousintodiethevictimofastupidpieceofsubterfugeonmypart？Praypreventherfrombeingvirgineleventhousandandone.

"Pardonme，Iamunworthy，butIembracevou，andloveyouwithallmyheart.

"Youroldfriend，"HENRIFONTAL."

EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.4.

ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEIV.

THEMORIBUND

THEGAMEKEEPER

THESTORYOFAFARMGIRL

THEWRECK

THEODULESABOT’SCONFESSION

THEWRONGHOUSE

THEDIAMONDNECKLACE

THEMARQUISDEFUMEROL

THETRIPOFTHEHORLA

FAREWELL

THEWOLF

THEINN

THEMORIBUND

Thewarmautumnsunwasbeatingdownonthefarmyard.Underthegrass，whichhadbeencroppedclosebythecows，theearthsoakedbyrecentrains，wassoftandsankinunderthefeetwithasoggynoise，andtheappletrees，loadedwithapples，weredroppingtheirpalegreenfruitinthedarkgreengrass.

Fouryoungheifers，tiedinaline，weregrazingandattimeslookingtowardthehouseandlowing.Thefowlsmadeacoloredpatchonthedung—

heapbeforethestable，scratching，movingaboutandcackling，whiletworoosterscrowedcontinually，diggingwormsfortheirhens，whomtheywerecallingwithaloudclucking.

Thewoodengateopenedandamanentered.Hemighthavebeenfortyyearsold，buthelookedatleastsixty，wrinkled，bent，walkingslowly，impededbytheweightofheavywoodenshoesfullofstraw.Hislongarmshungdownonbothsidesofhisbody.Whenhegotnearthefarmayellowcur，tiedatthefootofanenormouspeartree，besideabarrelwhichservedashiskennel，beganatfirsttowaghistailandthentobarkforjoy.Themancried：

"Down，Finot！"

Thedogwasquiet.

Apeasantwomancameoutofthehouse.Herlarge，flat，bonybodywasoutlinedunderalongwoollenjacketdrawninatthewaist.Agrayskirt，tooshort，felltothemiddleofherlegs，whichwereencasedinbluestockings.She，too，worewoodenshoes，filledwithstraw.Thewhitecap，turnedyellow，coveredafewhairswhichwereplasteredtothescalp，andherbrown，thin，ugly，toothlessfacehadthatwild，animalexpressionwhichisoftentobefoundonthefacesofthepeasants.

Themanasked：

"Howishegettin’along？"

Thewomananswered：

"Thepriestsaidit’stheend——thathewillneverlivethroughthenight."

Bothofthemwentintothehouse.

Afterpassingthroughthekitchen，theyenteredalow，darkroom，barelylightedbyonewindow，infrontofwhichapieceofcalicowashanging.

Thebigbeams，turnedbrownwithageandsmoke，crossedtheroomfromonesidetotheother，supportingthethinfloorofthegarret，whereanarmyofratsranaboutdayandnight.

Themoist，lumpyearthenfloorlookedgreasy，and，atthebackoftheroom，thebedmadeanindistinctwhitespot.Aharsh，regularnoise，adifficult，hoarse，wheezingbreathing，likethegurglingofwaterfromabrokenpump，camefromthedarkenedcouchwhereanoldman，thefatherofthepeasantwoman，wasdying.

Themanandthewomanapproachedthedyingmanandlookedathimwithcalm，resignedeyes.

Theson—in—lawsaid：

"Iguessit’sallupwithhimthistime;hewillnotlastthenight."

Thewomananswered：

"He’sbeengurglin’likethateversincemidday."Theyweresilent.Thefather’seyeswereclosed，hisfacewasthecoloroftheearthandsodrythatitlookedlikewood.Throughhisopenmouthcamehisharsh，rattlingbreath，andthegraylinensheetroseandfellwitheachrespiration.

Theson—in—law，afteralongsilence，said：

"There’snothingmoretodo;Ican’thelphim.It’sanuisance，justthesame，becausetheweatherisgoodandwe’vegotalotofworktodo."

Hiswifeseemedannoyedatthisidea.Shereflectedafewmomentsandthensaid：

Hewon’tbeburiedtillSaturday，andthatwillgiveyoualldaytomorrow."

Thepeasantthoughtthematteroverandanswered：

"Yes，butto—morrowI’llhavetoinvitethepeopletothefuneral.ThatmeansfiveorsixhourstogoroundtoTourvilleandManetot，andtoseeeverybody."

Thewoman，aftermeditatingtwoorthreeminutes，declared：

"Itisn’tthreeo’clockyet.YoucouldbeginthiseveningandgoallroundthecountrytoTourville.Youcanjustaswellsaythathe’sdead，seem’ashe’sasgoodasthatnow."

Themanstoodperplexedforawhile，weighingtheprosandconsoftheidea.Atlasthedeclared：

"Well，I’llgo！"

Hewasleavingtheroom，butcamebackafteraminute’shesitation：

"Asyouhaven’tgotanythin’todoyoumightshakedownsomeapplestobakeandmakefourdozendumplingsforthosewhocometothefuneral，foronemusthavesomethingtocheerthem.Youcanlightthefirewiththewoodthat’sundertheshed.It’sdry."

Helefttheroom，wentbackintothekitchen，openedthecupboard，tookoutasix—poundloafofbread，cutoffaslice，andcarefullygatheredthecrumbsinthepalmofhishandandthrewthemintohismouth，soasnottoloseanything.Then，withtheendofhisknife，hescrapedoutalittlesaltbutterfromthebottomofanearthenjar，spreaditonhisbreadandbegantoeatslowly，ashedideverything.

Herecrossedthefarmyard，quietedthedog，whichhadstartedbarkingagain，wentoutontheroadborderingonhisditch，anddisappearedinthedirectionofTourville.

Assoonasshewasalone，thewomanbegantowork.Sheuncoveredthemeal—binandmadethedoughforthedumplings.Shekneadeditalongtime，turningitoverandoveragain，punching，pressing，crushingit.

Finallyshemadeabig，round，yellow—whiteball，whichsheplacedonthecornerofthetable.

Thenshewenttogetherapples，and，inordernottoinjurethetreewithapole，sheclimbedupintoitbyaladder.Shechosethefruitwithcare，onlytakingtheripeones，andgatheringtheminherapron.

Avoicecalledfromtheroad：

"Hey，MadameChicot！"

Sheturnedround.Itwasaneighbor，OsimeFavet，themayor，onhiswaytofertilizehisfields，seatedonthemanure—wagon，withhisfeethangingovertheside.Sheturnedroundandanswered：

"WhatcanIdoforyou，MaitreOsime？"

"Andhowisthefather？"

Shecried：

"Heisasgoodasdead.ThefuneralisSaturdayatseven，becausethere’slotsofworktobedone."

Theneighboranswered：

"So！Goodlucktoyou！Takecareofyourself."

Tohiskindremarkssheanswered："

"Thanks;thesametoyou."

Andshecontinuedpickingapples.

Whenshewentbacktothehouse，shewentovertolookatherfather，expectingtofindhimdead.Butassoonasshereachedthedoorsheheardhismonotonous，noisyrattle，and，thinkingitawasteoftimetogoovertohim，shebegantoprepareherdumplings.Shewrappedupthefruit，onebyone，inathinlayerofpaste，thenshelinedthemupontheedgeofthetable.Whenshehadmadeforty—eightdumplings，arrangedindozens，oneinfrontoftheother，shebegantothinkofpreparingsupper，andshehungherkettleoverthefiretocookpotatoes，forshejudgedituselesstoheattheoventhatday，asshehadallthenextdayinwhichtofinishthepreparations.

Herhusbandreturnedataboutfive.Assoonashehadcrossedthethresholdheasked：

"Isitover？"

Sheanswered：

"Notyet;he’sstillgurglin’."

Theywenttolookathim.Theoldmanwasinexactlythesamecondition.

Hishoarserattle，asregularasthetickingofaclock，wasneitherquickernorslower.Itreturnedeverysecond，thetonevaryingalittle，accordingastheairenteredorlefthischest.

Hisson—in—lawlookedathimandthensaid：

"He’llpassawaywithoutournoticin’it，justlikeacandle."

Theyreturnedtothekitchenandstartedtoeatwithoutsayingaword.

Whentheyhadswallowedtheirsoup，theyateanotherpieceofbreadandbutter.Then，assoonasthedisheswerewashed，theyreturnedtothedyingman.

Thewoman，carryingalittlelampwithasmokywick，helditinfrontofherfather’sface.Ifhehadnotbeenbreathing，onewouldcertainlyhavethoughthimdead.

Thecouple’sbedwashiddeninalittlerecessattheotherendoftheroom.Silentlytheyretired，putoutthelight，closedtheireyes，andsoontwounequalsnores，onedeepandtheothershriller，accompaniedtheuninterruptedrattleofthedyingman.

Theratsranaboutinthegarret.

Thehusbandawokeatthefirststreaksofdawn.Hisfather—in—lawwasstillalive.Heshookhiswife，worriedbythetenacityoftheoldman.

"Say，Phemie，hedon’twanttoquit.Whatwouldyoudo？"

Heknewthatshegavegoodadvice.

Sheanswered：

"Youneedn’tbeafraid;hecan’tlivethroughtheday.Andthemayorwon’tstopourburyinghimto—morrow，becausehealloweditforMaitreRenard’sfather，whodiedjustduringtheplantingseason."

Hewasconvincedbythisargument，andleftforthefields.

Hiswifebakedthedumplingsandthenattendedtoherhousework.

Atnoontheoldmanwasnotdead.Thepeoplehiredfortheday’sworkcamebygroupstolookathim.Eachonehadhissay.Thentheyleftagainforthefields.

Atsixo’clock，whentheworkwasover，thefatherwasstillbreathing.

Atlasthisson—in—lawwasfrightened.

"Whatwouldyoudonow，Phemie？"

Shenolongerknewhowtosolvetheproblem.Theywenttothemayor.Hepromisedthathewouldclosehiseyesandauthorizethefuneralforthefollowingday.Theyalsowenttothehealthofficer，wholikewisepromised，inordertoobligeMaitreChicot，toantedatethedeathcertificate.Themanandthewomanreturned，feelingmoreatease.

Theywenttobedandtosleep，justastheydidtheprecedingday，theirsonorousbreathingblendingwiththefeeblebreathingoftheoldman.

Whentheyawoke，hewasnotyetdead.

Thentheybegantobefrightened.Theystoodbytheirfather，watchinghimwithdistrust，asthoughhehadwishedtoplaythemameantrick，todeceivethem，toannoythemonpurpose，andtheywerevexedathimforthetimewhichhewasmakingthemlose.

Theson—in—lawasked：

"WhatamIgoin’todo？"

Shedidnotknow.Sheanswered：

"Itcertainlyisannoying！"

Theguestswhowereexpectedcouldnotbenotified.Theydecidedtowaitandexplainthecasetothem.

Towardaquartertoseventhefirstonesarrived.Thewomeninblack，theirheadscoveredwithlargeveils，lookingverysad.Thenmen，illateaseintheirhomespuncoats，werecomingforwardmoreslowly，incouples，talkingbusiness.

MaitreChicotandhiswife，bewildered，receivedthemsorrowfully，andsuddenlybothofthemtogetherbegantocryastheyapproachedthefirstgroup.Theyexplainedthematter，relatedtheirdifficulty，offeredchairs，bustledabout，triedtomakeexcuses，attemptingtoprovethateverybodywouldhavedoneastheydid，talkingcontinuallyandgivingnobodyachancetoanswer.

Theyweregoingfromonepersontoanother：

"Ineverwouldhavethoughtit;it’sincrediblehowhecanlastthislong！"

Theguests，takenaback，alittledisappointed，asthoughtheyhadmissedanexpectedentertainment，didnotknowwhattodo，someremainingseated.othersstanding.Severalwishedtoleave.MaitreChicotheldthemback：

"Youmusttakesomething，anyhow！Wemadesomedumplings;mightaswellmakeuseof’em."

Thefacesbrightenedatthisidea.Theyardwasfillinglittlebylittle;theearlyarrivalsweretellingthenewstothosewhohadarrivedlater.Everybodywaswhispering.Theideaofthedumplingsseemedtocheereveryoneup.

Thewomenwentintotakealookatthedyingman.Theycrossedthemselvesbesidethebed，mutteredaprayerandwentoutagain.Themen，lessanxiousforthisspectacle，castalookthroughthewindow，whichhadbeenopened.

MadameChicotexplainedherdistress：

"That’showhe’sbeenfortwodays，neitherbetternorworse.Doesn’thesoundlikeapumpthathasgonedry？"

Wheneverybodyhadhadalookatthedyingman，theythoughtoftherefreshments;butasthereweretoomanypeopleforthekitchentohold，thetablewasmovedoutinfrontofthedoor.Thefourdozengoldendumplings，temptingandappetizing，arrangedintwobigdishes，attractedtheeyesofall.Eachonereachedouttotakehis，fearingthattherewouldnotbeenough.Butfourremainedover.

MaitreChicot，hismouthfull，said：

"Fatherwouldfeelsadifheweretoseethis.Helovedthemsomuchwhenhewasalive."

Abig，jovialpeasantdeclared：

"Hewon’teatanymorenow.Eachoneinhisturn."

Thisremark，insteadofmakingtheguestssad，seemedtocheerthemup.

Itwastheirturnnowtoeatdumplings.

MadameChicot，distressedattheexpense，keptrunningdowntothecellarcontinuallyforcider.Thepitcherswereemptiedinquicksuccession.

Thecompanywaslaughingandtalkingloudnow.Theywerebeginningtoshoutastheydoatfeasts.

Suddenlyanoldpeasantwomanwhohadstayedbesidethedyingman，heldtherebyamorbidfearofwhatwouldsoonhappentoherself，appearedatthewindowandcriedinashrillvoice：

"He’sdead！he’sdead！"

Everybodywassilent.Thewomenarosequicklytogoandsee.

Hewasindeeddead.Therattlehadceased.Themenlookedateachother，lookingdown，illatease.Theyhadn’tfinishedeatingthedumplings.Certainlytherascalhadnotchosenapropitiousmoment.

TheChicotswerenolongerweeping.Itwasover;theywererelieved.

Theykeptrepeating：

"Iknewitcouldn’t’last.Ifhecouldonlyhavedoneitlastnight，itwouldhavesavedusallthistrouble."

Well，anyhow，itwasover.TheywouldburyhimonMonday，thatwasall，andtheywouldeatsomemoredumplingsfortheoccasion.

Theguestswentaway，talkingthematterover，pleasedathavinghadthechancetoseehimandofgettingsomethingtoeat.

Andwhenthehusbandandwifewerealone，facetoface，shesaid，herfacedistortedwithgrief：

"We’llhavetobakefourdozenmoredumplings！Whycouldn’thehavemadeuphismindlastnight？"

Thehusband，moreresigned，answered：

"Well，we’llnothavetodothiseveryday."

THEGAMEKEEPER

Itwasafterdinner，andweweretalkingaboutadventuresandaccidentswhichhappenedwhileoutshooting.

Anoldfriend，knowntoallofus，M.Boniface，agreatsportsmanandaconnoisseurofwine，amanofwonderfulphysique，wittyandgay，andendowedwithanironicalandresignedphilosophy，whichmanifesteditselfincaustichumor，andneverinmelancholy，suddenlyexclaimed：

"Iknowastory，orratheratragedy，whichissomewhatpeculiar.Itisnotatalllikethosewhichonehearsofusually，andIhavenevertoldit，thinkingthatitwouldinterestnoone.

"Itisnotatallsympathetic.Imeanbythat，thatitdoesnotarousethekindofinterestwhichpleasesorwhichmovesoneagreeably.

"Hereisthestory：

"Iwasthenaboutthirty—fiveyearsofage，andamostenthusiasticsportsman.

"InthosedaysIownedalonelybitofpropertyintheneighborhoodofJumieges，surroundedbyforestsandaboundinginharesandrabbits.

Iwasaccustomedtospendingfourorfivedaysalonethereeachyear，therenotbeingroomenoughtoallowofmybringingafriendwithme.

"Ihadplacedthereasgamekeeper，anoldretiredgendarme，agoodman，hot—tempered，aseveredisciplinarian，aterrortopoachersandfearingnothing.Helivedallalone，farfromthevillage，inalittlehouse，orratherhut，consistingoftworoomsdownstairs，withkitchenandstore—

room，andtwoupstairs.Oneofthem，akindofboxjustlargeenoughtoaccommodateabed，acupboardandachair，wasreservedformyuse.

"OldmanCavalierlivedintheotherone.WhenIsaidthathewasaloneinthisplace，Iwaswrong.Hehadtakenhisnephewwithhim，ayoungscampaboutfourteenyearsold，whousedtogotothevillageandrunerrandsfortheoldman.

"Thisyoungscapegracewaslongandlanky，withyellowhair，solightthatitresembledthefluffofapluckedchicken，sothinthatheseemedbald.Besidesthis，hehadenormousfeetandthehandsofagiant.

"Hewascross—eyed，andneverlookedatanyone.Hestruckmeasbeinginthesamerelationtothehumanraceasill—smellingbeastsaretotheanimalrace.Heremindedmeofapolecat.

"Hesleptinakindofholeatthetopofthestairswhichledtothetworooms.

"ButduringmyshortsojournsatthePavilion——soIcalledthehut——

MariuswouldgiveuphisnooktoanoldwomanfromEcorcheville，calledCeleste，whousedtocomeandcookforme，asoldmanCavalier’sstewswerenotsufficientformyhealthyappetite.

"Younowknowthecharactersandthelocality.Hereisthestory：

"ItwasonthefifteenthofOctober，1854——IshallrememberthatdateaslongasIlive.

"IleftRouenonhorseback，followedbymydogBock，abigDalmatianhoundfromPoitou，full—chestedandwithaheavyjaw，whichcouldretrieveamongthebusheslikeaPont—Andemerspaniel.

"Iwascarryingmysatchelslungacrossmybackandmygundiagonallyacrossmychest.Itwasacold，windy，gloomyday，withcloudsscurryingacrossthesky.

"AsIwentupthehillatCanteleu，IlookedoverthebroadvalleyoftheSeine，theriverwindinginandoutalongitscourseasfarastheeyecouldsee.TotherightthetowersofRouenstoodoutagainstthesky，andtotheleftthelandscapewasboundedbythedistantslopescoveredwithtrees.ThenIcrossedtheforestofRoumareand，towardfiveo’clock，reachedthePavilion，whereCavalierandCelestewereexpectingme.

"FortenyearsIhadappearedthereatthesametime，inthesamemanner;

andfortenyearsthesamefaceshadgreetedmewiththesamewords：

"’Welcome，master！Wehopeyourhealthisgood.’

"Cavalierhadhardlychanged.Hewithstoodtimelikeanoldtree;butCeleste，especiallyinthepastfouryears，hadbecomeunrecognizable.

"Shewasbentalmostdouble，and，althoughstillactive，whenshewalkedherbodywasalmostatrightanglestoherlegs.

"Theoldwoman，whowasverydevotedtome，alwaysseemedaffectedatseeingmeagain，andeachtime，asIleft，shewouldsay：

"’Thismaybethelasttime，master.’

"Thesad，timidfarewellofthisoldservant，thishopelessresignationtotheinevitablefatewhichwasnotfaroffforher，movedmestrangelyeachyear.

"Idismounted，andwhileCavalier，whomIhadgreeted，wasleadingmyhorsetothelittleshedwhichservedasastable，Ienteredthekitchen，whichalsoservedasdining—room，followedbyCeleste.

"Herethegamekeeperjoinedus.Isawatfirstglancethatsomethingwasthematter.Heseemedpreoccupied，illatease，worried.

"Isaidtohim：

"’Well，Cavalier，iseverythingallright？’

"Hemuttered：

"’Yesandno.TherearethingsIdon’tlike.’

"Iasked：

"’What？Tellmeaboutit.’

"Butheshookhishead.

"’No，notyet，monsieur.Idonotwishtobotheryouwithmylittletroublessosoonafteryourarrival.’

"Iinsisted，butheabsolutelyrefusedtogivemeanyinformationbeforedinner.Fromhisexpression，Icouldtellthatitwassomethingveryserious.

"Notknowingwhattosaytohim，Iasked：

"’Howaboutgame？Muchofitthisyear？’

"’Oh，yes！You’llfindallyouwant.Thankheaven，Ilookedoutforthat.’

"Hesaidthiswithsomuchseriousness，withsuchsadsolemnity，thatitwasreallyalmostfunny.Hisbiggraymustacheseemedalmostready，todropfromhislips.

"SuddenlyIrememberedthatIhadnotyetseenhisnephew.

"’WhereisMarius？Whydoeshenotshowhimself？’

"The"Thegamekeeperstarted，lookingmesuddenlyintheface：

"Well，monsieur，Ihadrathertellyouthewholebusinessrightaway;

it’sonaccountofhimthatIamworrying.’

"’Ah！Well，whereishe？’

"’Overinthestable，monsieur.Iwaswaitingfortherighttimetobringhimout.’

"’Whathashedone？’

"’Well，monsieur————’

"Thegamekeeper，however，hesitated，hisvoicealteredandshaky，hisfacesuddenlyfurrowedbythedeeplinesofanoldman.

"Hecontinuedslowly：

"’Well，Ifoundout，lastwinter，thatsomeonewaspoachinginthewoodsofRoseraies，butIcouldn’tseemtocatchtheman.Ispentnightafternightonthelookoutforhim.Invain.DuringthattimetheybeganpoachingoverbyEcorcheville.Iwasgrowingthinfromvexation.Butasforcatchingthetrespasser，impossible！Onemighthavethoughtthattherascalwasforewarnedofmyplans.

"’Butoneday，whileIwasbrushingMarius’Sundaytrousers，Ifoundfortycentsinhispocket.Wheredidhegetit？

"’Ithoughtthematteroverforaboutaweek，andInoticedthatheusedtogoout;hewouldleavethehousejustasIwascominghometogotobed——yes，monsieur.

"’ThenIstartedtowatchhim，withouttheslightestsuspicionoftherealfacts.Onemorning，justafterIhadgonetobedbeforehim，Igotrightupagain，andfollowedhim.Forshadowingaman，thereisnobodylikeme，monsieur.

"’AndIcaughthim，Marius，poachingonyourland，monsieur;hemynephew，Iyourkeeper！

"’Thebloodrushedtomyhead，andIalmostkilledhimonthespot，Ihithimsohard.Oh！yes，Ithrashedhimallright.AndIpromisedhimthathewouldgetanotherbeatingfrommyhand，inyourpresence，asanexample.

"’There！Ihavegrownthinfromsorrow.Youknowhowitiswhenoneisworriedlikethat.Buttellme，whatwouldyouhavedone？Theboyhasnofatherormother，andIamthelastoneofhisblood;Ikepthim，I

couldn’tdrivehimout，couldI？

"’ItoldhimthatifithappenedagainIwouldhavenomorepityforhim，allwouldbeover.There！DidIdoright，monsieur？’

"Ianswered，holdingoutmyhand：

"’Youdidwell，Cavalier;youareanhonestman.’

"Herose.

"’Thankyou，monsieur.NowIamgoingtofetchhim.Imustgivehimhisthrashing，asanexample.’

"Iknewthatitwashopelesstotryandturntheoldmanfromhisidea.

Ithereforelethimhavehisownway.

"Hegottherascalandbroughthimbackbytheear.

"Iwasseatedonacanechair，withthesolemnexpressionofajudge.

"Mariusseemedtohavegrown;hewashomeliereventhantheyearbefore，withhisevil，sneakingexpression.

"Hisbighandsseemedgigantic.

"Hisunclepushedhimuptome，and，inhissoldierlyvoice，said：

"’Begthegentleman’spardon.’

"Theboydidn’tsayaword.

"Thenputtingonearmroundhim，theformergendarmeliftedhimrightofftheground，andbegantowhackhimwithsuchforcethatIrosetostoptheblows.

"Theboywasnowhowling：’Mercy！mercy！mercy！Ipromise————’

"Cavalierputhimbackonthegroundandforcedhimtohisknees：

"’Begforpardon，’hesaid.

"Witheyeslowered，thescampmurmured：

"’Iaskforpardon！’

"Thenhisuncleliftedhimtohisfeet，anddismissedhimwithacuffwhichalmostknockedhimdownagain.

"Hemadehisescape，andIdidnotseehimagainthatevening.

"Cavalierappearedoverwhelmed.’

"’Heisabadegg，’hesaid.

"Andthroughoutthewholedinner，hekeptrepeating：

"’Oh！thatworriesme，monsieur，thatworriesme.’

"Itriedtocomforthim，butinvain.

"Iwenttobedearly，sothatImightstartoutatdaybreak.

"Mydogwasalreadyasleeponthefloor，atthefootofmybed，whenI

putoutthelight.

"IwasawakenedtowardmidnightbythefuriousbarkingofmydogBock.I

immediatelynoticedthatmyroomwasfullofsmoke.Ijumpedoutofbed，struckalight，rantothedoorandopenedit.Acloudofflamesburstin.Thehousewasonfire.

"Iquicklyclosedtheheavyoakdoorand，drawingonmytrousers，Ifirstloweredthedogthroughthewindow，bymeansofaropemadeofmysheets;

then，havingthrownouttherestofmyclothes，mygame—bagandmygun，I

inturnescapedthesameway.

"Ibegantoshoutwithallmymight：’Cavalier！Cavalier！Cavalier！’

"Butthegamekeeperdidnotwakeup.Hesleptsoundlylikeanoldgendarme.

"However，Icouldseethroughthelowerwindowsthatthewholeground—

floorwasnothingbutaroaringfurnace;Ialsonoticedthatithadbeenfilledwithstrawtomakeitburnreadily.

"Somebodymustpurposelyhavesetfiretotheplace！

"Icontinuedshriekingwildly：’Cavalier！’

"Thenthethoughtstruckmethatthesmokemightbesuffocatinghim.Anideacametome.Islippedtwocartridgesintomygun，andshotstraightathiswindow.

"Thesixpanesofglassshatteredintotheroominacloudofglass.

Thistimetheoldmanhadheardme，andheappeared，dazed，inhisnightshirt，bewilderedbytheglarewhichilluminedthewholefrontofhis’house.

"Icriedtohim：

"’Yourhouseisonfire！Escapethroughthewindow！Quick！Quick！’

"Theflameswerecomingoutthroughallthecracksdownstairs，werelickingalongthewall，werecreepingtowardhimandgoingtosurroundhim.Hejumpedandlandedonhisfeet，likeacat.

"Itwasnonetoosoon.Thethatchedroofcrackedinthemiddle，rightoverthestaircase，whichformedakindofflueforthefiredownstairs;

andanimmenseredjetjumpedupintotheair，spreadinglikeastreamofwaterandsprinklingashowerofsparksaroundthehut.Inafewsecondsitwasnothingbutapoolofflames.

"Cavalier，thunderstruck，asked：

"’Howdidthefirestart？’

"Ianswered：

"’Somebodylititinthekitchen.’

"Hemuttered：

"’Whocouldhavestartedthefire？’

"AndI，suddenlyguessing，answered：

"’Marius！’

"Theoldmanunderstood.Hestammered：

"’GoodGod！Thatiswhyhedidn’treturn.’

"Aterriblethoughtflashedthroughmymind.Icried：

"’AndCeleste！Celeste！’

"Hedidnotanswer.Thehousecavedinbeforeus，formingonlyanenormous，bright，blindingbrazier，anawe—inspiringfuneral—pile，wherethepoorwomancouldnolongerbeanythingbutaglowingember，aglowingemberofhumanflesh.

"Wehadnotheardasinglecry.

"Asthefirecrepttowardtheshed，Isuddenlybethoughtmeofmyhorse，andCavalierrantofreeit.

"Hardlyhadheopenedthedoorofthestable，whenasupple，nimblebodydartedbetweenhislegs，andthrewhimonhisface.ItwasMarius，runningforallhewasworth.

"Themanwasupinasecond.Hetriedtorunafterthewretch，but，seeingthathecouldnotcatchhim，andmaddenedbyanirresistibleanger，yieldingtooneofthosethoughtlessimpulseswhichwecannotforeseeorprevent，hepickedupmygun，whichwaslyingontheground.

nearhim，putittohisshoulder，and，beforeIcouldmakeamotion，hepulledthetriggerwithoutevennoticingwhetherornottheweaponwasloaded.

"OneofthecartridgeswhichIhadputintoannouncethefirewasstillintact，andthechargecaughtthefugitiverightintheback，——throwinghimforwardontheground，bleedingprofusely.Heimmediatelybegantoclawtheearthwithhishandsandwithhisknees，asthoughtryingtorunonallfourslikearabbitwhohasbeenmortallywounded，andseesthehunterapproaching.

"Irushedforwardtotheboy，butIcouldalreadyhearthedeath—rattle.

Hepassedawaybeforethefirewasextinguished，withouthavingsaidaword.

"Cavalier，stillinhisshirt，hislegsbare，wasstandingnearus，motionless，dazed.

"Whenthepeoplefromthevillagearrived，mygamekeeperwastakenaway，likeaninsaneman.

"Iappearedatthetrialaswitness，andrelatedthefactsindetail，withoutchangingathing.Cavalierwasacquitted.Hedisappearedthatveryday，leavingthecountry.

"Ihaveneverseenhimsince.

"There，gentlemen，thatismystory."

THESTORYOFAFARMGIRL

PARTI

Astheweatherwasveryfine，thepeopleonthefarmhadhurriedthroughtheirdinnerandhadreturnedtothefields.

Theservant，Rose，remainedaloneinthelargekitchen，wherethefirewasdyingoutonthehearthbeneaththelargeboilerofhotwater.Fromtimetotimeshedippedoutsomewaterandslowlywashedherdishes，stoppingoccasionallytolookatthetwostreaksoflightwhichthesunthrewacrossthelongtablethroughthewindow，andwhichshowedthedefectsintheglass.

Threeventuresomehenswerepickingupthecrumbsunderthechairs，whilethesmellofthepoultryyardandthewarmthfromthecowstallcameinthroughthehalf—opendoor，andacockwasheardcrowinginthedistance.

Whenshehadfinishedherwork，wipeddownthetable，dustedthemantelpieceandputtheplatesonthehighdresserclosetothewoodenclockwithitsloudtick—tock，shedrewalongbreath，asshefeltratheroppressed，withoutexactlyknowingwhy.Shelookedattheblackclaywalls，theraftersthatwereblackenedwithsmokeandfromwhichhungspiders’webs，smokedherringsandstringsofonions，andthenshesatdown，ratherovercomebythestaleodorfromtheearthenfloor，onwhichsomanythingshadbeencontinuallyspilledandwhichtheheatbroughtout.Withthistherewasmingledthesoursmellofthepansofmilkwhichweresetouttoraisethecreamintheadjoiningdairy.

Shewantedtosew，asusual，butshedidnotfeelstrongenough，andsoshewenttothedoortogetamouthfuloffreshair，whichseemedtodohergood.

Thefowlswerelyingonthesteamingdunghill;someofthemwerescratchingwithoneclawinsearchofworms，whilethecockstoodupproudlyintheirmidst.Whenhecrowed，thecocksinalltheneighboringfarmyardsrepliedtohim，asiftheywereutteringchallengesfromfarmtofarm.

Thegirllookedatthemwithoutthinking，andthensheraisedhereyesandwasalmostdazzledatthesightoftheappletreesinblossom.Justthenacolt，fulloflifeandfriskiness，jumpedovertheditchesandthenstoppedsuddenly，asifsurprisedatbeingalone.