\"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.