Abellrang;itwasfordinner，andIwentdownstairs.MadameRadevintookmyarminaceremoniousmanner，andwepassedintothedining—room.
Afootmanwheeledintheoldmaninhisarmchair.Hegaveagreedyandcuriouslookatthedessert，asheturnedhisshakingheadwithdifficultyfromonedishtotheother.
Simonrubbedhishands：\"Youwillbeamused，\"hesaid;andallthechildrenunderstandingthatIwasgoingtobeindulgedwiththesightoftheirgreedygrandfather，begantolaugh，whiletheirmothermerelysmiledandshruggedhershoulders，andSimon，makingaspeakingtrumpetofhishands，shoutedattheoldman：\"Thiseveningthereissweetcreamedrice！\"Thewrinkledfaceofthegrandfatherbrightened，andhetrembledmoreviolently，fromheadtofoot，showingthathehadunderstoodandwasverypleased.Thedinnerbegan.
\"Justlook！\"Simonwhispered.Theoldmandidnotlikethesoup，andrefusedtoeatit;buthewasobligedtodoitforthegoodofhishealth，andthefootmanforcedthespoonintohismouth，whiletheoldmanblewsoenergetically，soasnottoswallowthesoup，thatitwasscatteredlikeasprayalloverthetableandoverhisneighbors.Thechildrenwrithedwithlaughteratthespectacle，whiletheirfather，whowasalsoamused，said：\"Isnottheoldmancomical？\"
Duringthewholemealtheyweretakenupsolelywithhim.Hedevouredthedishesonthetablewithhiseyes，andtriedtoseizethemandpullthemovertohimwithhistremblinghands.Theyputthemalmostwithinhisreach，toseehisuselessefforts，histremblingclutchesatthem，thepiteousappealofhiswholenature，ofhiseyes，ofhismouthandofhisnoseashesmeltthem，andheslobberedonhistablenapkinwitheagerness，whileutteringinarticulategrunts.Andthewholefamilywashighlyamusedatthishorribleandgrotesquescene.
Thentheyputatinymorselonhisplate，andheatewithfeverishgluttony，inordertogetsomethingmoreassoonaspossible，andwhenthesweetenedricewasbroughtin，henearlyhadafit，andgroanedwithgreediness，andGontrancalledouttohim：
\"Youhaveeatentoomuchalready;youcanhavenomore.\"Andtheypretendednottogivehimany.Thenhebegantocry;hecriedandtrembledmoreviolentlythanever，whileallthechildrenlaughed.
Atlast，however，theygavehimhishelping，averysmallpiece;andasheatethefirstmouthful，hemadeacomicalnoiseinhisthroat，andamovementwithhisneckasducksdowhentheyswallowtoolargeamorsel，andwhenhehadswallowedit，hebegantostamphisfeet，soastogetmore.
IwasseizedwithpityforthissaddeningandridiculousTantalus，andinterposedonhisbehalf：
\"Come，givehimalittlemorerice！\"ButSimonreplied：\"Oh！no，mydearfellow，ifheweretoeattoomuch，itwouldharmhim，athisage.\"
Iheldmytongue，andthoughtoverthosewords.Oh，ethics！Oh，logic！
Oh，wisdom！Athisage！Sotheydeprivedhimofhisonlyremainingpleasureoutofregardforhishealth！Hishealth！Whatwouldhedowithit，inertandtremblingwreckthathewas？Theyweretakingcareofhislife，sotheysaid.Hislife？Howmanydays？Ten，twenty，fifty，orahundred？Why？Forhisownsake？Ortopreserveforsometimelongerthespectacleofhisimpotentgreedinessinthefamily.
Therewasnothingleftforhimtodointhislife，nothingwhatever.
Hehadonesinglewishleft，onesolepleasure;whynotgranthimthatlastsolaceuntilhedied？
Afterwehadplayedcardsforalongtime，Iwentuptomyroomandtobed;Iwaslow—spiritedandsad，sad，sad！andIsatatmywindow.Notasoundcouldbeheardoutsidebutthebeautifulwarblingofabirdinatree，somewhereinthedistance.Nodoubtthebirdwassinginginalowvoiceduringthenight，tolullhismate，whowasasleeponhereggs.
AndIthoughtofmypoorfriend’sfivechildren，andpicturedhimtomyself，snoringbythesideofhisuglywife.
SUICIDES
ToGeorgesLegrand.
Hardlyadaygoesbywithoutourreadinganewsitemlikethefollowinginsomenewspaper：
\"OnWednesdaynightthepeoplelivinginNo.40Ruede—————，wereawakenedbytwosuccessiveshots.TheexplosionsseemedtocomefromtheapartmentoccupiedbyM.X————.Thedoorwasbrokeninandthemanwasfoundbathedinhisblood，stillholdinginonehandtherevolverwithwhichhehadtakenhislife.
\"M.X————wasfifty—sevenyearsofage，enjoyingacomfortableincome，andhadeverythingnecessarytomakehimhappy.Nocausecanbefoundforhisaction.\"
Whatterriblegrief，whatunknownsuffering，hiddendespair，secretwoundsdrivethesepresumablyhappypersonstosuicide？Wesearch，weimaginetragediesoflove，wesuspectfinancialtroubles，and，asweneverfindanythingdefinite，weapplytothesedeathstheword\"mystery.\"
Aletterfoundonthedeskofoneofthese\"suicideswithoutcause，\"andwrittenduringhislastnight，besidehisloadedrevolver，hascomeintoourhands.Wedeemitratherinteresting.Itrevealsnoneofthosegreatcatastropheswhichwealwaysexpecttofindbehindtheseactsofdespair;butitshowsustheslowsuccessionofthelittlevexationsoflife，thedisintegrationofalonelyexistence，whosedreamshavedisappeared;itgivesthereasonforthesetragicends，whichonlynervousandhighstrungpeoplecanunderstand.
Hereitis：
\"Itismidnight.WhenIhavefinishedthisletterIshallkillmyself.
Why？Ishallattempttogivethereasons，notforthosewhomayreadtheselines，butformyself，tokindlemywaningcourage，toimpressuponmyselfthefatalnecessityofthisactwhichcan，atbest，beonlydeferred.
\"Iwasbroughtupbysimple—mindedparentswhowereunquestioningbelievers.AndIbelievedastheydid.
\"Mydreamlastedalongtime.Thelastveilhasjustbeentornfrommyeyes.
\"Duringthelastfewyearsastrangechangehasbeentakingplacewithinme.AlltheeventsofLife，whichformerlyhadtometheglowofabeautifulsunset，arenowfadingaway.Thetruemeaningofthingshasappearedtomeinitsbrutalreality;andthetruereasonforlovehasbredinmedisgustevenforthispoeticsentiment：’Wearetheeternaltoysoffoolishandcharmingillusions，whicharealwaysbeingrenewed.’
\"Ongrowingolder，Ihadbecomepartlyreconciledtotheawfulmysteryoflife，totheuselessnessofeffort;whentheemptinessofeverythingappearedtomeinanewlight，thisevening，afterdinner.
\"Formerly，Iwashappy！Everythingpleasedme：thepassingwomen，theappearanceofthestreets，theplacewhereIlived;andIeventookaninterestinthecutofmyclothes.Buttherepetitionofthesamesightshashadtheresultoffillingmyheartwithwearinessanddisgust，justasonewouldfeelwereonetogoeverynighttothesametheatre.
\"ForthelastthirtyyearsIhavebeenrisingatthesamehour;and，atthesamerestaurant，forthirtyyears，Ihavebeeneatingatthesamehoursthesamedishesbroughtmebydifferentwaiters.
\"Ihavetriedtravel.Thelonelinesswhichonefeelsinstrangeplacesterrifiedme.Ifeltsoalone，sosmallontheearththatIquicklystartedonmyhomewardjourney.
\"Butheretheunchangingexpressionofmyfurniture，whichhasstoodforthirtyyearsinthesameplace，thesmellofmyapartments（for，withtime，eachdwellingtakesonaparticularodor）eachnight，theseandotherthingsdisgustmeandmakemesickoflivingthus.
\"Everythingrepeatsitselfendlessly.ThewayinwhichIputmykeyinthelock，theplacewhereIalwaysfindmymatches，thefirstobjectwhichmeetsmyeyewhenIentertheroom，makemefeellikejumpingoutofthewindowandputtinganendtothosemonotonouseventsfromwhichwecanneverescape.
\"Eachday，whenIshave，Ifeelaninordinatedesiretocutmythroat;
andmyface，whichIseeinthelittlemirror，alwaysthesame，withsoaponmycheeks，hasseveraltimesmademeweakfromsadness.
\"NowIevenhatetobewithpeoplewhomIusedtomeetwithpleasure;I
knowthemsowell，IcantelljustwhattheyaregoingtosayandwhatI
amgoingtoanswer.Eachbrainislikeacircus，wherethesamehorsekeepscirclingaroundeternally.Wemustcircleroundalways，aroundthesameideas，thesamejoys，thesamepleasures，thesamehabits，thesamebeliefs，thesamesensationsofdisgust.
\"Thefogwasterriblethisevening.Itenfoldedtheboulevard，wherethestreetlightsweredimmedandlookedlikesmokingcandles.Aheavierweightthanusualoppressedme.Perhapsmydigestionwasbad.
\"Forgooddigestioniseverythinginlife.Itgivestheinspirationtotheartist，amorousdesirestoyoungpeople，clearideastothinkers，thejoyoflifetoeverybody，anditalsoallowsonetoeatheartily（whichisoneofthegreatestpleasures）.Asickstomachinducesscepticismunbelief，nightmaresandthedesirefordeath.Ihaveoftennoticedthisfact.PerhapsIwouldnotkillmyself，ifmydigestionhadbeengoodthisevening.
\"WhenIsatdowninthearm—chairwhereIhavebeensittingeverydayforthirtyyears，Iglancedaroundme，andjustthenIwasseizedbysuchaterribledistressthatIthoughtImustgomad.
\"ItriedtothinkofwhatIcoulddotorunawayfrommyself.Everyoccupationstruckmeasbeingworseeventhaninaction.ThenIbethoughtmeofputtingmypapersinorder.
\"ForalongtimeIhavebeenthinkingofclearingoutmydrawers;for，forthelastthirtyyears，Ihavebeenthrowingmylettersandbillspell—mellintothesamedesk，andthisconfusionhasoftencausedmeconsiderabletrouble.ButIfeelsuchmoralandphysicallazinessatthesoleideaofputtinganythinginorderthatIhaveneverhadthecouragetobeginthistediousbusiness.
\"Ithereforeopenedmydesk，intendingtochooseamongmyoldpapersanddestroythemajorityofthem.
\"AtfirstIwasbewilderedbythisarrayofdocuments，yellowedbyage，thenIchoseone.
\"Oh！ifyoucherishlife，neverdisturbtheburialplaceofoldletters！
\"Andif，perchance，youshould，takethecontentsbythehandful，closeyoureyesthatyoumaynotreadaword，sothatyoumaynotrecognizesomeforgottenhandwritingwhichmayplungeyousuddenlyintoaseaofmemories;carrythesepaperstothefire;andwhentheyareinashes，crushthemtoaninvisiblepowder，orotherwiseyouarelost——justasI
havebeenlostforanhour.
\"ThefirstletterswhichIreaddidnotinterestmegreatly.Theywererecent，andcamefromlivingmenwhomIstillmeetquiteoften，andwhosepresencedoesnotmovemetoanygreatextent.Butallatonceoneenvelopemademestart.Mynamewastracedonitinalarge，boldhandwriting;andsuddenlytearscametomyeyes.Thatletterwasfrommydearestfriend，thecompanionofmyyouth，theconfidantofmyhopes;andheappearedbeforemesoclearly，withhispleasantsmileandhishandoutstretched，thatacoldshiverrandownmyback.Yes，yes，thedeadcomeback，forIsawhim！Ourmemoryisamoreperfectworldthantheuniverse：itgivesbacklifetothosewhonolongerexist.
\"WithtremblinghandanddimmedeyesIrereadeverythingthathetoldme，andinmypoorsobbingheartIfeltawoundsopainfulthatIbegantogroanasamanwhosebonesareslowlybeingcrushed.
\"ThenItravelledovermywholelife，justasonetravelsalongariver.
Irecognizedpeople，solongforgottenthatInolongerknewtheirnames.
Theirfacesalonelivedinme.Inmymother’slettersIsawagaintheoldservants，theshapeofourhouseandthelittleinsignificantoddsandendswhichclingtoourminds.
\"Yes，Isuddenlysawagainallmymother’soldgowns，thedifferentstyleswhichsheadoptedandtheseveralwaysinwhichshedressedherhair.Shehauntedmeespeciallyinasilkdress，trimmedwitholdlace;
andIrememberedsomethingshesaidonedaywhenshewaswearingthisdress.Shesaid：’Robert，mychild，ifyoudonotstandupstraightyouwillberound—shoulderedallyourlife.’
\"Then，openinganotherdrawer，Ifoundmyselffacetofacewithmemoriesoftenderpassions：adancing—pump，atornhandkerchief，evenagarter，locksofhairanddriedflowers.Thenthesweetromancesofmylife，whoselivingheroinesarenowwhite—haired，plungedmeintothedeepmelancholyofthings.Oh，theyoungbrowswhereblondlockscurl，thecaressofthehands，theglancewhichspeaks，theheartswhichbeat，thatsmilewhichpromisesthelips，thoselipswhichpromisetheembrace！
Andthefirstkiss—thatendlesskisswhichmakesyoucloseyoureyes，whichdrownsallthoughtintheimmeasurablejoyofapproachingpossession！
\"Takingtheseoldpledgesofformerloveinbothmyhands，Icoveredthemwithfuriouscaresses，andinmysoul，tornbythesememories，Isawthemeachagainatthehourofsurrender;andIsufferedatorturemorecruelthanallthetorturesinventedinallthefablesabouthell.
\"Onelastletterremained.Itwaswrittenbymeanddictatedfiftyyearsagobymywritingteacher.Hereitis：
\"’MYDEARLITTLEMAMMA：
\"’Iamsevenyearsoldto—day.Itistheageofreason.Itakeadvantageofittothankyouforhavingbroughtmeintothisworld.
\"’Yourlittleson，wholovesyou\"’ROBERT.’
\"Itisallover.Ihadgonebacktothebeginning，andsuddenlyIturnedmyglanceonwhatremainedtomeoflife.Isawhideousandlonelyoldage，andapproachinginfirmities，andeverythingoverandgone.Andnobodynearme！
\"Myrevolverishere，onthetable.IamloadingitNeverrereadyouroldletters！\"
Andthatishowmanymencometokillthemselves;andwesearchinvaintodiscoversomegreatsorrowintheirlives.
ANARTIFICE
Theolddoctorsatbythefireside，talkingtohisfairpatientwhowaslyingonthelounge.Therewasnothingmuchthematterwithher，exceptthatshehadoneofthoselittlefeminineailmentsfromwhichprettywomenfrequentlysuffer——slightanaemia，anervousattack，etc.
\"No，doctor，\"shesaid;\"Ishallneverbeabletounderstandawomandeceivingherhusband.Evenallowingthatshedoesnotlovehim，thatshepaysnoheedtohervowsandpromises，howcanshegiveherselftoanotherman？Howcansheconcealtheintriguefromotherpeople’seyes？
Howcanitbepossibletoloveamidliesandtreason？\"
Thedoctorsmiled，andreplied：\"Itisperfectlyeasy，andIcanassureyouthatawomandoesnotthinkofallthoselittlesubtledetailswhenshehasmadeuphermindtogoastray.
\"Asfordissimulation，allwomenhaveplentyofitonhandforsuchoccasions，andthesimplestofthemarewonderful，andextricatethemselvesfromthegreatestdilemmasinaremarkablemanner.\"
Theyoungwoman，however，seemedincredulous.
\"No，doctor，\"shesaid;\"oneneverthinksuntilafterithashappenedofwhatoneoughttohavedoneinacriticalsituation，andwomenarecertainlymoreliablethanmentolosetheirheadonsuchoccasions：\"
Thedoctorraisedhishands.\"Afterithashappened，yousay！NowI
willtellyousomethingthathappenedtooneofmyfemalepatients，whomIalwaysconsideredanimmaculatewoman.
\"Ithappenedinaprovincialtown，andonenightwhenIwasasleep，inthatdeepfirstsleepfromwhichitissodifficulttorouseus，itseemedtome，inmydreams，asifthebellsinthetownweresoundingafirealarm，andIwokeupwithastart.Itwasmyownbell，whichwasringingwildly，andasmyfootmandidnotseemtobeansweringthedoor，I，inturn，pulledthebellattheheadofmybed，andsoonIheardabanging，andstepsinthesilenthouse，andJeancameintomyroom，andhandedmealetterwhichsaid：’MadameLelievrebegsDr.Simeontocometoherimmediately.’
\"Ithoughtforafewmoments，andthenIsaidtomyself：’Anervousattack，vapors;nonsense，Iamtootired.’AndsoIreplied：’AsDr.
Simeonisnotatallwell，hemustbegMadameLelievretobekindenoughtocallinhiscolleague，MonsieurBonnet.’Iputthenoteintoanenvelopeandwenttosleepagain，butabouthalfanhourlaterthestreetbellrangagain，andJeancametomeandsaid：’Thereissomebodydownstairs;Idonotquiteknowwhetheritisamanorawoman，astheindividualissowrappedup，buttheywishtospeaktoyouimmediately.
Theysayitisamatteroflifeanddeathfortwopeople.’WhereuponI
satupinbedandtoldhimtoshowthepersonin.
\"AkindofblackphantomappearedandraisedherveilassoonasJeanhadlefttheroom.ItwasMadameBertheLelievre，quiteayoungwoman，whohadbeenmarriedforthreeyearstoalargeamerchantinthetown，whowassaidtohavemarriedtheprettiestgirlintheneighborhood.
\"Shewasterriblypale，herfacewascontractedasthefacesofinsanepeopleare，occasionally，andherhandstrembledviolently.Twiceshetriedtospeakwithoutbeingabletoutterasound，butatlastshestammeredout：’Come——quick——quick，doctor.Come——my——friendhasjustdiedinmybedroom.’Shestopped，halfsuffocatedwithemotion，andthenwenton：’Myhusbandwillbecominghomefromtheclubverysoon.’
\"IjumpedoutofbedwithoutevenconsideringthatIwasonlyinmynightshirt，anddressedmyselfinafewmoments，andthenIsaid：’Didyoucomeashorttimeago？’’No，’shesaid，standinglikeastatuepetrifiedwithhorror.’Itwasmyservant——sheknows.’Andthen，afterashortsilence，shewenton：’Iwasthere——byhisside.’Andsheutteredasortofcryofhorror，andafterafitofchoking，whichmadehergasp，sheweptviolently，andshookwithspasmodicsobsforaminute：
ortwo.Thenhertearssuddenlyceased，asifbyaninternalfire，andwithanairoftragiccalmness，shesaid：’Letusmakehaste.’
\"Iwasready，butexclaimed：’Iquiteforgottoordermycarriage.’
’Ihaveone，’shesaid;’itishis，whichwaswaitingforhim！’Shewrappedherselfup，soastocompletelyconcealherface，andwestarted.
\"Whenshewasbymysideinthecarriageshesuddenlyseizedmyhand，andcrushingitinherdelicatefingers，shesaid，withashakingvoice，thatproceededfromadistractedheart：’Oh！ifyouonlyknew，ifyouonlyknewwhatIamsuffering！Ilovedhim，Ihavelovedhimdistractedly，likeamadwoman，forthelastsixmonths.’’Isanyoneupinyourhouse？’
Iasked.’No，nobodyexceptthose，whoknowseverything.’
\"Westoppedatthedoor，andevidentlyeverybodywasasleep.Wewentinwithoutmakinganynoise，bymeansofherlatch—key，andwalkedupstairsontiptoe.Thefrightenedservantwassittingonthetopofthestairswithalightedcandlebyherside，asshewasafraidtoremainwiththedeadman，andIwentintotheroom，whichwasingreatdisorder.Wettowels，withwhichtheyhadbathedtheyoungman’stemples，werelyingonthefloor，bythesideofawashbasinandaglass，whileastrongsmellofvinegarpervadedtheroom.
\"Thedeadman’sbodywaslyingatfulllengthinthemiddleoftheroom，andIwentuptoit，lookedatit，andtouchedit.Iopenedtheeyesandfeltthehands，andthen，turningtothetwowomen，whowereshakingasiftheywerefreezing，Isaidtothem：’Helpmetolifthimontothebed.’Whenwehadlaidhimgentlyonit，Ilistenedtohisheartandputalooking—glasstohislips，andthensaid：’Itisallover.’Itwasaterriblesight！
\"Ilookedattheman，andsaid：’Yououghttoarrangehishairalittle.’
Thegirlwentandbroughthermistress’combandbrush，butasshewastrembling，andpullingouthislong，mattedhairindoingit，MadameLelievretookthecomboutofherhand，andarrangedhishairasifshewerecaressinghim.Shepartedit，brushedhisbeard，rolledhismustachesgentlyroundherfingers，then，suddenly，lettinggoofhishair，shetookthedeadman’sinertheadinherhandsandlookedforalongtimeindespairatthedeadface，whichnolongercouldsmileather，andthen，throwingherselfonhim，sheclaspedhiminherarmsandkissedhimardently.Herkissesfelllikeblowsonhisclosedmouthandeyes，hisforeheadandtemples;andthen，puttingherlipstohisear，asifhecouldstillhearher，andasifshewereabouttowhispersomethingtohim，shesaidseveraltimes，inaheartrendingvoice：
’Good—by，mydarling！’
\"Justthentheclockstrucktwelve，andIstartedup.’Twelveo’clock！’
Iexclaimed.’Thatisthetimewhentheclubcloses.Come，madame，wehavenotamomenttolose！’Shestartedup，andIsaid：
’Wemustcarryhimintothedrawing—room.’Andwhenwehaddonethis，Iplacedhimonasofa，andlitthechandeliers，andjustthenthefrontdoorwasopenedandshutnoisily.’Rose，bringmethebasinandthetowels，andmaketheroomlooktidy.Makehaste，forHeaven’ssake！
MonsieurLelievreiscomingin.’
\"Iheardhisstepsonthestairs，andthenhishandsfeelingalongthewalls.’Comehere，mydearfellow，’Isaid;’wehavehadanaccident.’
\"Andtheastonishedhusbandappearedinthedoorwithacigarinhismouth，andsaid：’Whatisthematter？Whatisthemeaningofthis？’
’Mydearfriend，’Isaid，goinguptohim，’youfindusingreatembarrassment.Ihadremainedlate，chattingwithyourwifeandourfriend，whohadbroughtmeinhiscarriage，whenhesuddenlyfainted，andinspiteofallwehavedone，hehasremainedunconsciousfortwohours.
Ididnotliketocallinstrangers，andifyouwillnowhelpmedownstairswithhim，Ishallbeabletoattendtohimbetterathisownhouse.’
\"Thehusband，whowassurprised，butquiteunsuspicious，tookoffhishat，andthenhetookhisrival，whowouldbequiteinoffensiveforthefuture，underthearms.Igotbetweenhistwolegs，asifIhadbeenahorsebetweentheshafts，andwewentdownstairs，whilehiswifeheldalightforus.WhenwegotoutsideIstoodthebodyup，soastodeceivethecoachman，andsaid：’Come，myfriend;itisnothing;youfeelbetteralreadyIexpect.Pluckupyourcourage，andmakeaneffort.Itwillsoonbeover.’ButasIfeltthathewasslippingoutofmyhands，I
gavehimaslapontheshoulder，whichsenthimforwardandmadehimfallintothecarriage，andthenIgotinafterhim.MonsieurLelievre，whowasratheralarmed，saidtome：’Doyouthinkitisanythingserious？’
TowhichIreplied：’No，’withasmile，asIlookedathiswife，whohadputherarmintothatofherhusband，andwastryingtoseeintothecarriage.
\"Ishookhandswiththemandtoldmycoachmantostart，andduringthewholedrivethedeadmankeptfallingagainstme.WhenwegottohishouseIsaidthathehadbecomeunconsciousonthewayhome，andhelpedtocarryhimupstairs，whereIcertifiedthathewasdead，andactedanothercomedytohisdistractedfamily，andatlastIgotbacktobed，notwithoutswearingatlovers.\"
Thedoctorceased，thoughhewasstillsmiling，andtheyoungwoman，whowasinaverynervousstate，said：\"Whyhaveyoutoldmethatterriblestory？\"
Hegaveheragallantbow，andreplied：
\"SothatImayofferyoumyservicesiftheyshouldbeneeded.\"
DREAMS
Theyhadjustdinedtogether，fiveoldfriends，awriter，adoctorandthreerichbachelorswithoutanyprofession.
Theyhadtalkedabouteverything，andafeelingoflassitudecameoverthem，thatfeelingwhichprecedesandleadstothedepartureofguestsafterfestivegatherings.Oneofthosepresent，whohadforthelastfiveminutesbeengazingsilentlyatthesurgingboulevarddottedwithgas—lamps，withitsrattlingvehicles，saidsuddenly：
\"Whenyou’venothingtodofrommorningtillnight，thedaysarelong.\"
\"Andthenightstoo，\"assentedtheguestwhosatnexttohim.\"Isleepverylittle;pleasuresfatigueme;conversationismonotonous.NeverdoIcomeacrossanewidea，andIfeel，beforetalkingtoanyone，aviolentlongingtosaynothingandtolistentonothing.Idon’tknowwhattodowithmyevenings.\"
Thethirdidlerremarked：
\"Iwouldpayagreatdealforanythingthatwouldhelpmetopassjusttwopleasanthourseveryday.\"
Thewriter，whohadjustthrownhisovercoatacrosshisarm，turnedroundtothem，andsaid：
\"Themanwhocoulddiscoveranewviceandintroduceitamonghisfellowcreatures，evenifitweretoshortentheirlives，wouldrenderagreaterservicetohumanitythanthemanwhofoundthemeansofsecuringtothemeternalsalvationandeternalyouth.\"
Thedoctorburstoutlaughing，and，whilehechewedhiscigar，hesaid：
\"Yes，butitisnotsoeasytodiscoverit.Menhavehowevercrudely，beenseekingfor——andworkingfortheobjectyourefertosincethebeginningoftheworld.Themenwhocamefirstreachedperfectionatonceinthisway.Wearehardlyequaltothem.\"
Oneofthethreeidlersmurmured：
\"Whatapity！\"
Then，afteraminute’spause，headded：
\"Ifwecouldonlysleep，sleepwell，withoutfeelinghotorcold，sleepwiththatperfectunconsciousnessweexperienceonnightswhenwearethoroughlyfatigued，sleepwithoutdreams.\"
\"Whywithoutdreams？\"askedtheguestsittingnexttohim.
Theotherreplied：
\"Becausedreamsarenotalwayspleasant;theyarealwaysfantastic，improbable，disconnected;andbecausewhenweareasleepwecannothavethesortofdreamswelike.Weoughttodreamwaking.\"
\"Andwhat’stopreventyou？\"askedthewriter.
Thedoctorflungawaytheendofhiscigar.
\"Mydearfellow，inordertodreamwhenyouareawake，youneedgreatpowerandgreatexerciseofwill，andwhenyoutrytodoit，greatwearinessistheresult.Now，realdreaming，thatjourneyofourthoughtsthroughdelightfulvisions，isassuredlythesweetestexperienceintheworld;butitmustcomenaturally，itmustnotbeprovokedinapainful，manner，andmustbeaccompaniedbyabsolutebodilycomfort.
ThispowerofdreamingIcangiveyou，providedyoupromisethatyouwillnotabuseit.\"
Thewritershruggedhisshoulders：
\"Ah！yes，Iknow——hasheesh，opium，greentea——artificialparadises.
IhavereadBaudelaire，andIeventastedthefamousdrug，whichmademeverysick.\"
Butthedoctor，withoutstirringfromhisseat，said：
\"No;ether，nothingbutether;andIwouldsuggestthatyouliterarymenshoulduseitsometimes.\"
Thethreerichbachelorsdrewclosertothedoctor.
Oneofthemsaid：
\"Explaintoustheeffectsofit.\"
Andthedoctorreplied：
\"Letusputasidebigwords，shallwenot？Iamnottalkingofmedicineormorality;Iamtalkingofpleasure.Yougiveyourselvesupeverydaytoexcesseswhichconsumeyourlives.Iwanttoindicatetoyouanewsensation，possibleonlytointelligentmen——letussayevenveryintelligentmen——dangerous，likeeverythingelsethatoverexcitesourorgans，butexquisite.Imightaddthatyouwouldrequireacertainpreparation，thatistosay，practice，tofeelinalltheircompletenessthesingulareffectsofether.
\"Theyaredifferentfromtheeffectsofhasheesh，ofopium，ormorphia，andtheyceaseassoonastheabsorptionofthedrugisinterrupted，whiletheothergeneratorsofdaydreamscontinuetheiractionforhours.
\"Iamnowgoingtotrytoanalyzethesefeelingsasclearlyaspossible.
Butthethingisnoteasy，sofacile，sodelicate，soalmostimperceptible，arethesesensations.
\"ItwaswhenIwasattackedbyviolentneuralgiathatImadeuseofthisremedy，whichsincethenIhave，perhaps，slightlyabused.
\"Ihadacutepainsinmyheadandneck，andanintolerableheatoftheskin，afeverishrestlessness.Itookupalargebottleofether，and，lyingdown，Ibegantoinhaleitslowly.
\"AttheendofsomeminutesIthoughtIheardavaguemurmur，whicherelongbecameasortofhumming，anditseemedtomethatalltheinteriorofmybodyhadbecomelight，lightasair，thatitwasdissolvingintovapor.
\"Thencameasortoftorpor，asleepysensationofcomfort，inspiteofthepainswhichstillcontinued，butwhichhadceasedtomakethemselvesfelt.Itwasoneofthosesensationswhichwearewillingtoendureandnotanyofthosefrightfulwrenchesagainstwhichourtorturedbodyprotests.
\"SoonthestrangeanddelightfulsenseofemptinesswhichIfeltinmychestextendedtomylimbs，which，intheirturn，becamelight，aslightasifthefleshandtheboneshadbeenmeltedandtheskinonlywereleft，theskinnecessarytoenablemetorealizethesweetnessofliving，ofbathinginthissensationofwell—being.ThenIperceivedthatIwasnolongersuffering.Thepainhadgone，meltedaway，evaporated.AndI
heardvoices，fourvoices，twodialogues，withoutunderstandingwhatwassaid.Atonetimetherewereonlyindistinctsounds，atanothertimeawordreachedmyear.ButIrecognizedthatthiswasonlythehummingI
hadheardbefore，butemphasized.Iwasnotasleep;Iwasnotawake;I
comprehended，Ifelt，Ireasonedwiththeutmostclearnessanddepth，withextraordinaryenergyandintellectualpleasure，withasingularintoxicationarisingfromthisseparationofmymentalfaculties.
\"Itwasnotlikethedreamscausedbyhasheeshorthesomewhatsicklyvisionsthatcomefromopium;itwasanamazingacutenessofreasoning，anewwayofseeing，judgingandappreciatingthethingsoflife，andwiththecertainty，theabsoluteconsciousnessthatthiswasthetrueway.
\"AndtheoldimageoftheScripturessuddenlycamebacktomymind.
ItseemedtomethatIhadtastedoftheTreeofKnowledge，thatallthemysterieswereunveiled，somuchdidIfindmyselfundertheswayofanew，strangeandirrefutablelogic.Andarguments，reasonings，proofsroseupinaheapbeforemybrainonlytobeimmediatelydisplacedbysomestrongerproof，reasoning，argument.Myheadhad，infact，becomeabattlegroundofideas.Iwasasuperiorbeing，armedwithinvincibleintelligence，andIexperiencedahugedelightatthemanifestationofmypower.
\"Itlastedalong，longtime.Istillkeptinhalingtheetherfrommyflagon.SuddenlyIperceivedthatitwasempty.\"
Thefourmenexclaimedatthesametime：
\"Doctor，aprescriptionatonceforaliterofether！\"
Butthedoctor，puttingonhishat，replied：
\"Astothat，certainlynot;goandletsomeoneelsepoisonyou！\"
Andheleftthem.
Ladiesandgentlemen，whatisyouropiniononthesubject？
SIMON’SPAPA
Noonhadjuststruck.Theschooldooropenedandtheyoungstersdartedout，jostlingeachotherintheirhastetogetoutquickly.Butinsteadofpromptlydispersingandgoinghometodinnerasusual，theystoppedafewpacesoff，brokeupintoknots，andbeganwhispering.
Thefactwasthat，thatmorning，Simon，thesonofLaBlanchotte，had，forthefirsttime，attendedschool.
TheyhadallofthemintheirfamiliesheardtalkofLaBlanchotte;and，althoughinpublicshewaswelcomeenough，themothersamongthemselvestreatedherwithasomewhatdisdainfulcompassion，whichthechildrenhadimitatedwithoutintheleastknowingwhy.
AsforSimonhimself，theydidnotknowhim，forheneverwentout，anddidnotrunaboutwiththeminthestreetsofthevillage，oralongthebanksoftheriver.Andtheydidnotcareforhim;soitwaswithacertaindelight，mingledwithconsiderableastonishment，thattheymetandrepeatedtoeachotherwhathadbeensaidbyaladoffourteenorfifteenwhoappearedtoknowallaboutit，sosagaciouslydidhewink.
\"Youknow——Simon——well，hehasnopapa.\"
JustthenLaBlanchotte’ssonappearedinthedoorwayoftheschool.
Hewassevenoreightyearsold，ratherpale，veryneat，withatimidandalmostawkwardmanner.
Hewasstartinghometohismother’shousewhenthegroupsofhisschoolmates，whisperingandwatchinghimwiththemischievousandheartlesseyesofchildrenbentuponplayinganastytrick，graduallyclosedinaroundhimandendedbysurroundinghimaltogether.Therehestoodintheirmidst，surprisedandembarrassed，notunderstandingwhattheyweregoingtodowithhim.Buttheladwhohadbroughtthenews，puffedupwiththesuccesshehadmetwithalready，demanded：
\"Whatisyourname，you？\"
Heanswered：\"Simon.\"
\"Simonwhat？\"retortedtheother.
Thechild，altogetherbewildered，repeated：\"Simon.\"
Theladshoutedathim：\"OneisnamedSimonsomething——thatisnotaname——Simonindeed.\"
Thechild，onthebrinkoftears，repliedforthethirdtime：
\"MynameisSimon.\"
Theurchinsbegantolaugh.Thetriumphanttormentorcried：\"Youcanseeplainlythathehasnopapa.\"
Adeepsilenceensued.Thechildrenweredumfoundedbythisextraordinary，impossible，monstrousthing——aboywhohadnotapapa;
theylookeduponhimasaphenomenon，anunnaturalbeing，andtheyfeltthathithertoinexplicablecontemptoftheirmothersforLaBlanchottegrowinguponthem.AsforSimon，hehadleanedagainstatreetoavoidfalling，andheremainedasifprostratedbyanirreparabledisaster.
Hesoughttoexplain，butcouldthinkofnothing—tosaytorefutethishorriblechargethathehadnopapa.Atlastheshoutedatthemquiterecklessly：\"Yes，Ihaveone.\"
\"Whereishe？\"demandedtheboy.
Simonwassilent，hedidnotknow.Thechildrenroared，tremendouslyexcited;andthosecountryboys，littlemorethananimals，experiencedthatcruelcravingwhichpromptsthefowlsofafarmyardtodestroyoneoftheirnumberassoonasitiswounded.Simonsuddenlyespiedalittleneighbor，thesonofawidow，whomhehadseen，ashehimselfwastobeseen，alwaysalonewithhismother.
\"Andnomorehaveyou，\"hesaid;\"nomorehaveyouapapa.\"
\"Yes，\"repliedtheother，\"Ihaveone.\"
\"Whereishe？\"rejoinedSimon.
\"Heisdead，\"declaredthebrat，withsuperbdignity;\"heisinthecemetery，ismypapa.\"
Amurmurofapprovalroseamongthelittlewretchesasifthisfactofpossessingapapadeadinacemeteryhadcausedtheircomradetogrowbigenoughtocrushtheotheronewhohadnopapaatall.Andtheseboys，whosefatherswereforthemostpartbadmen，drunkards，thieves，andwhobeattheirwives，jostledeachothertopresscloserandcloser，asthoughthey，thelegitimateones，wouldsmotherbytheirpressureonewhowasillegitimate.
TheboywhochancedtobenextSimonsuddenlyputhistongueoutathimwithamockingairandshoutedathim：
\"Nopapa！Nopapa！\"
Simonseizedhimbythehairwithbothhandsandsettoworktodisablehislegswithkicks，whilehebithischeekferociously.Atremendousstruggleensuedbetweenthetwocombatants，andSimonfoundhimselfbeaten，torn，bruised，rolledonthegroundinthemidstoftheringofapplaudingschoolboys.Ashearose，mechanicallybrushingwithhishandhislittleblouseallcoveredwithdust，someoneshoutedathim：
\"Goandtellyourpapa.\"
Thenhefeltagreatsinkingathisheart.Theywerestrongerthanhewas，theyhadbeatenhim，andhehadnoanswertogivethem，forheknewwellthatitwastruethathehadnopapa.Fullofpride，heattemptedforsomemomentstostruggleagainstthetearswhichwerechokinghim.
Hehadafeelingofsuffocation，andthenwithoutanysoundhecommencedtoweep，withgreatshakingsobs.Aferociousjoybrokeoutamonghisenemies，and，withoneaccord，justlikesavagesintheirfearfulfestivals，theytookeachotherbythehandanddancedroundhiminacircle，repeatingasarefrain：
\"Nopapa！Nopapa！\"
ButsuddenlySimonceasedsobbing.Hebecameferocious.Therewerestonesunderhisfeet;hepickedthemupandwithallhisstrengthhurledthemathistormentors.Twoorthreewerestruckandrushedoffyelling，andsoformidabledidheappearthattherestbecamepanic—stricken.
Cowards，asthemobalwaysisinpresenceofanexasperatedman，theybrokeupandfled.Leftalone，thelittlefellowwithoutafathersetoffrunningtowardthefields，forarecollectionhadbeenawakenedinhimwhichdeterminedhissoultoagreatresolve.Hemadeuphismindtodrownhimselfintheriver.
Heremembered，infact，thateightdaysbefore，apoordevilwhobeggedforhislivelihoodhadthrownhimselfintothewaterbecausehehadnomoremoney.Simonhadbeentherewhentheyfishedhimoutagain;andthewretchedman，whousuallyseemedtohimsomiserable，andugly，hadthenstruckhimasbeingsopeacefulwithhispalecheeks，hislongdrenchedbeard，andhisopeneyesfullofcalm.Thebystandershadsaid：
\"Heisdead.\"
Andsomeonehadsaid：
\"Heisquitehappynow.\"
AndSimonwishedtodrownhimselfalso，becausehehadnofather，justlikethewretchedbeingwhohadnomoney.
Hereachedthewaterandwatcheditflowing.Somefishweresportingbrisklyintheclearstreamandoccasionallymadealittleboundandcaughtthefliesflyingonthesurface.Hestoppedcryinginordertowatchthem，fortheirmaneuversinterestedhimgreatly.But，atintervals，asinatempestintervalsofcalmalternatesuddenlywithtremendousgustsofwind，whichsnapoffthetreesandthenlosethemselvesinthehorizon，thisthoughtwouldreturntohimwithintensepain：
\"IamgoingtodrownmyselfbecauseIhavenopapa.\"
Itwasverywarm，fineweather.Thepleasantsunshinewarmedthegrass.
Thewatershonelikeamirror.AndSimonenjoyedsomeminutesofhappiness，ofthatlanguorwhichfollowsweeping，andfeltinclinedtofallasleepthereuponthegrassinthewarmsunshine.
Alittlegreenfrogleapedfromunderhisfeet.Heendeavoredtocatchit.Itescapedhim.Hefolloweditandlostitthreetimesinsuccession.Atlasthecaughtitbyoneofitshindlegsandbegantolaughashesawtheeffortsthecreaturemadetoescape.Itgathereditselfuponitshindlegsandthenwithaviolentspringsuddenlystretchedthemoutasstiffastwobars;whileitbeattheairwithitsfrontlegsasthoughtheywerehands，itsroundeyesstaringintheircircleofyellow.Itremindedhimofatoymadeofstraightslipsofwoodnailedzigzagoneontheother;whichbyasimilarmovementregulatedthemovementsofthelittlesoldiersfastenedthereon.Thenhethoughtofhishome，andthenofhismother，and，overcomebysorrow，heagainbegantoweep.Ashiverpassedoverhim.Hekneltdownandsaidhisprayersasbeforegoingtobed.Buthewasunabletofinishthem，fortumultuous，violentsobsshookhiswholeframe.Henolongerthought，henolongersawanythingaroundhim，andwaswhollyabsorbedincrying.
Suddenlyaheavyhandwasplaceduponhisshoulder，andaroughvoiceaskedhim：
\"Whatisitthatcausesyousomuchgrief，mylittleman？\"
Simonturnedround.Atallworkmanwithabeardandblackcurlyhairwasstaringathimgood—naturedly.Heansweredwithhiseyesandthroatfulloftears：
\"Theybeatme——because——I——Ihaveno——papa——nopapa.\"
\"What！\"saidtheman，smiling;\"why，everybodyhasone.\"
Thechildansweredpainfullyamidhisspasmsofgrief：
\"ButI——I——Ihavenone.\"
Thentheworkmanbecameserious.HehadrecognizedLaBlanchotte’sson，and，althoughhimselfanewarrivalintheneighborhood，hehadavagueideaofherhistory.
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"consoleyourself，myboy，andcomewithmehometoyourmother.Theywillgiveyou——apapa.\"
Andsotheystartedontheway，thebigfellowholdingthelittlefellowbythehand，andthemansmiled，forhewasnotsorrytoseethisBlanchotte，whowas，itwassaid，oneoftheprettiestgirlsofthecountryside，and，perhaps，hewassayingtohimself，atthebottomofhisheart，thatalasswhohaderredmightverywellerragain.
Theyarrivedinfrontofaveryneatlittlewhitehouse.
\"Thereitis，\"exclaimedthechild，andhecried，\"Mamma！\"
Awomanappeared，andtheworkmaninstantlyleftoffsmiling，forhesawatoncethattherewasnofoolingtobedonewiththetallpalegirlwhostoodausterelyatherdoorasthoughtodefendfromonemanthethresholdofthathousewhereshehadalreadybeenbetrayedbyanother.
Intimidated，hiscapinhishand，hestammeredout：
\"See，madame，Ihavebroughtyoubackyourlittleboywhohadlosthimselfneartheriver.\"
ButSimonflunghisarmsabouthismother’sneckandtoldher，asheagainbegantocry：
\"No，mamma，Iwishedtodrownmyself，becausetheothershadbeatenme——
hadbeatenme——becauseIhavenopapa.\"
Aburningrednesscoveredtheyoungwoman’scheeks;and，hurttothequick，sheembracedherchildpassionately，whilethetearscourseddownherface.Theman，muchmoved，stoodthere，notknowinghowtogetaway.
ButSimonsuddenlyrantohimandsaid：
\"Willyoubemypapa？\"
Adeepsilenceensued.LaBlanchotte，dumbandtorturedwithshame，leanedherselfagainstthewall，bothherhandsuponherheart.Thechild，seeingthatnoanswerwasmadehim，replied：
\"Ifyouwillnot，Ishallgobackanddrownmyself.\"
Theworkmantookthematterasajestandanswered，laughing：
\"Why，yes，certainlyIwill.\"
\"Whatisyourname，\"wentonthechild，\"sothatImaytelltheotherswhentheywishtoknowyourname？\"
\"Philip，\"answeredtheman：
Simonwassilentamomentsothathemightgetthenamewellintohishead;thenhestretchedouthisarms，quiteconsoled，ashesaid：
\"Well，then，Philip，youaremypapa.\"
Theworkman，liftinghimfromtheground，kissedhimhastilyonbothcheeks，andthenwalkedawayveryquicklywithgreatstrides.
Whenthechildreturnedtoschoolnextdayhewasreceivedwithaspitefullaugh，andattheendofschool，whentheladswereonthepointofrecommencing，Simonthrewthesewordsattheirheadsashewouldhavedoneastone：\"HeisnamedPhilip，mypapa.\"
Yellsofdelightburstoutfromallsides.
\"Philipwho？Philipwhat？WhatonearthisPhilip？WheredidyoupickupyourPhilip？\"
Simonanswerednothing;and，immovableinhisfaith，hedefiedthemwithhiseye，readytobemartyredratherthanflybeforethem.Theschoolmastercametohisrescueandhereturnedhometohismother.
Duringthreemonths，thetallworkman，Philip，frequentlypassedbyLaBlanchotte’shouse，andsometimeshemadeboldtospeaktoherwhenhesawhersewingnearthewindow.Sheansweredhimcivilly，alwayssedately，neverjokingwithhim，norpermittinghimtoenterherhouse.
Notwithstanding，being，likeallmen，abitofacoxcomb，heimaginedthatshewasoftenrosierthanusualwhenshechattedwithhim.
Butalostreputationissodifficulttoregainandalwaysremainssofragilethat，inspiteoftheshyreserveofLaBlanchotte，theyalreadygossipedintheneighborhood.
AsforSimonhelovedhisnewpapaverymuch，andwalkedwithhimnearlyeveryeveningwhentheday’sworkwasdone.Hewentregularlytoschool，andmixedwithgreatdignitywithhisschoolfellowswithouteveransweringthemback.
Oneday，however，theladwhohadfirstattackedhimsaidtohim：
\"Youhavelied.YouhavenotapapanamedPhilip.\"
\"Whydoyousaythat？\"demandedSimon，muchdisturbed.
Theyouthrubbedhishands.Hereplied：
\"Becauseifyouhadonehewouldbeyourmamma’shusband.\"
Simonwasconfusedbythetruthofthisreasoning;nevertheless，heretorted：
\"Heismypapa，allthesame.\"
\"Thatcanverywellbe，\"exclaimedtheurchinwithasneer，\"butthatisnotbeingyourpapaaltogether.\"
LaBlanchotte’slittleonebowedhisheadandwentoffdreaminginthedirectionoftheforgebelongingtooldLoizon，wherePhilipworked.
Thisforgewasasthoughburiedbeneathtrees.Itwasverydarkthere;
theredglareofaformidablefurnacealonelitupwithgreatflashesfiveblacksmiths;whohammeredupontheiranvilswithaterribledin.
Theywerestandingenvelopedinflame，likedemons，theireyesfixedonthered—hotirontheywerepounding;andtheirdullideasroseandfellwiththeirhammers.
Simonenteredwithoutbeingnoticed，andwentquietlytopluckhisfriendbythesleeve.Thelatterturnedround.Allatoncetheworkcametoastandstill，andallthemenlookedon，veryattentive.Then，inthemidstofthisunaccustomedsilence，rosetheslenderpipeofSimon：
\"Say，Philip，theMichaudeboytoldmejustnowthatyouwerenotaltogethermypapa.\"
\"Whynot？\"askedtheblacksmith，Thechildrepliedwithallinnocence：
\"Becauseyouarenotmymamma’shusband.\"
Noonelaughed.Philipremainedstanding，leaninghisforeheaduponthebackofhisgreathands，whichsupportedthehandleofhishammerstandinguprightupontheanvil.Hemused.Hisfourcompanionswatchedhim，andSimon，atinymiteamongthesegiants，anxiouslywaited.
Suddenly，oneofthesmiths，answeringtothesentimentofall，saidtoPhilip：
\"LaBlanchotteisagood，honestgirl，anduprightandsteadyinspiteofhermisfortune，andwouldmakeaworthywifeforanhonestman.\"
\"Thatistrue，\"remarkedthethreeothers.
Thesmithcontinued：
\"Isitthegirl’sfaultifshewentwrong？Shehadbeenpromisedmarriage;andIknowmorethanonewhoismuchrespectedto—day，andwhosinnedeverybitasmuch.\"
\"Thatistrue，\"respondedthethreemeninchorus.
Heresumed：
\"Howhardshehastoiled，poorthing，tobringupherchildallalone，andhowshehasweptalltheseyearsshehasnevergoneoutexcepttochurch，Godonlyknows.\"
\"Thisisalsotrue，\"saidtheothers.
Thennothingwasheardbutthebellowswhichfannedthefireofthefurnace.PhiliphastilybenthimselfdowntoSimon：
\"GoandtellyourmotherthatIamcomingtospeaktoherthisevening.\"
Thenhepushedthechildoutbytheshoulders.Hereturnedtohiswork，andwithasingleblowthefivehammersagainfellupontheiranvils.
Thustheywroughttheironuntilnightfall，strong，powerful，happy，likecontentedhammers.Butjustasthegreatbellofacathedralresoundsuponfeastdaysabovethejinglingoftheotherbells，soPhilip’shammer，soundingabovetherest，clangedsecondaftersecondwithadeafeninguproar.Andhestoodamidtheflyingsparksplyinghistradevigorously.
TheskywasfullofstarsasheknockedatLaBlanchotte’sdoor.HehadonhisSundayblouse，acleanshirt，andhisbeardwastrimmed.Theyoungwomanshowedherselfuponthethreshold，andsaidinagrievedtone：
\"Itisilltocomethuswhennighthasfallen，Mr.Philip.\"
Hewishedtoanswer，butstammeredandstoodconfusedbeforeher.
Sheresumed：
\"Youunderstand，doyounot，thatitwillnotdoformetobetalkedaboutagain.\"
\"Whatdoesthatmattertome，ifyouwillbemywife！\"
Novoicerepliedtohim，buthebelievedthatheheardintheshadowoftheroomthesoundofafallingbody.Heenteredquickly;andSimon，whohadgonetobed，distinguishedthesoundofakissandsomewordsthathismothermurmuredsoftly.Then，allatonce，hefoundhimselfliftedupbythehandsofhisfriend，who，holdinghimatthelengthofhisherculeanarms，exclaimed：
\"Youwilltellthem，yourschoolmates，thatyourpapaisPhilipRemy，theblacksmith，andthathewillpulltheearsofallwhodoyouanyharm.\"
Onthemorrow，whentheschoolwasfullandlessonswereabouttobegin，littleSimonstoodup，quitepalewithtremblinglips：
\"Mypapa，\"saidheinaclearvoice，\"isPhilipRemy，theblacksmith，andhehaspromisedtopulltheearsofallwhodoesmeanyharm.\"
Thistimenoonelaughed，forhewasverywellknown，wasPhilipRemy，theblacksmith，andwasapapaofwhomanyoneintheworldwouldhavebeenproud.
EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.12.
ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEXII.
THECHILD
ACOUNTRYEXCURSION
ROSE
ROSALIEPRUDENT
REGRET
ASISTER’SCONFESSION
COCO
ADEADWOMAN’SSECRET
AHUMBLEDRAMA
MADEMOISELLECOCOTTE
THECORSICANBANDIT
THEGRAVE
THECHILD
Lemonnierhadremainedawidowerwithonechild.Hehadlovedhiswifedevotedly，withatenderandexaltedlove，withoutaslip，duringtheirentiremarriedlife.Hewasagood，honestman，perfectlysimple，sincere，withoutsuspicionormalice.
Hefellinlovewithapoorneighbor，proposedandwasaccepted.Hewasmakingaverycomfortablelivingoutofthewholesaleclothbusiness，andhedidnotforaminutesuspectthattheyounggirlmighthaveacceptedhimforanythingelsebuthimself.
Shemadehimhappy.Shewaseverythingtohim;heonlythoughtofher，lookedathercontinually，withworshipingeyes.Duringmealshewouldmakeanynumberofblunders，inordernottohavetotakehiseyesfromthebelovedface;hewouldpourthewineinhisplateandthewaterinthesalt—cellar，thenhewouldlaughlikeachild，repeating：
\"Yousee，Iloveyoutoomuch;thatmakesmecrazy.\"
Shewouldsmilewithacalmandresignedlook;thenshewouldlookaway，asthoughembarrassedbytheadorationofherhusband，andtrytomakehimtalkaboutsomethingelse;buthewouldtakeherhandunderthetableandhewouldholditinhis，whispering：
\"MylittleJeanne，mydarlinglittleJeanne！\"
Shesometimeslostpatienceandsaid：
\"Come，come，bereasonable;eatandletmeeat.\"
Hewouldsighandbreakoffamouthfulofbread，whichhewouldthenchewslowly.
Forfiveyearstheyhadnochildren.Thensuddenlysheannouncedtohimthatthisstateofaffairswouldsooncease.Hewaswildwithjoy.Henolongerleftherforaminute，untilhisoldnurse，whohadbroughthimupandwhooftenruledthehouse，wouldpushhimoutandclosethedoorbehindhim，inordertocompelhimtogooutinthefreshair.
Hehadgrownveryintimatewithayoungmanwhohadknownhiswifesincechildhood，andwhowasoneoftheprefect’ssecretaries.M.DuretourwoulddinethreetimesaweekwiththeLemonniers，bringingflowerstomadame，andsometimesaboxatthetheater;andoften，attheendofthedinner，Lemonnier，growingtender，turningtowardshiswife，wouldexplain：\"Withacompanionlikeyouandafriendlikehim，amaniscompletelyhappyonearth.\"
Shediedinchildbirth.Theshockalmostkilledhim.Butthesightofthechild，apoor，moaninglittlecreature，gavehimcourage.
Heloveditwithapassionateandsorrowfullove，withamorbidloveinwhichstuckthememoryofdeath，butinwhichlivedsomethingofhisworshipforthedeadmother.Itwasthefleshofhiswife，herbeingcontinued，asortofquintessenceofherself.Thischildwasherverylifetransferredtoanotherbody;shehaddisappearedthatitmightexist，andthefatherwouldsmotheritinwithkisses.Butalso，thischildhadkilledher;hehadstolenthisbelovedcreature，hislifewasatthecostofhers.AndM.Lemonnierwouldplacehissoninthecradleandwouldsitdownandwatchhim.Hewouldsitthiswaybythehour，lookingathim，dreamingofthousandsofthings，sweetorsad.Then，whenthelittleonewasasleep，hewouldbendoverhimandsob.
Thechildgrew.Thefathercouldnolongerspendanhourawayfromhim;
hewouldstaynearhim，takehimoutforwalks，andhimselfdresshim，washhim，makehimeat.Hisfriend，M.Duretour，alsoseemedtolovetheboy;hewouldkisshimwildly，inthosefrenziesoftendernesswhicharecharacteristicofparents.Hewouldtosshiminhisarms，hewouldtrothimonhisknees，bythehour，andM.Lemonnier，delighted，wouldmutter：
\"Isn’theadarling？Isn’theadarling？\"
AndM.Duretourwouldhugthechildinhisarmsandticklehisneckwithhismustache.
Celeste，theoldnurse，alone，seemedtohavenotendernessforthelittleone.Shewouldgrowangryathispranks，andseemedimpatientatthecaressesofthetwomen.Shewouldexclaim：
\"Howcanyouexpecttobringachilduplikethat？You’llmakeaperfectmonkeyoutofhim.\"
Yearswentby，andJeanwasnineyearsold.Hehardlyknewhowtoread;
hehadbeensospoiled，andonlydidashesawfit.Hewaswillful，stubbornandquick—tempered.Thefatheralwaysgaveintohimandlethimhavehisownway.M.Duretourwouldalwaysbuyhimallthetoyshewished，andhefedhimoncakeandcandies.ThenCelestewouldgrowangryandexclaim：
\"It’sashame，monsieur，ashame.Youarespoilingthischild.Butitwillhavetostop;yes，sir，Itellyouitwillhavetostop，andbeforelong，too.\"
M.Lemonnierwouldanswer，smiling：
\"Whatcanyouexpect？Ilovehimtoomuch，Ican’tresisthim;youmustgetusedtoit.\"
Jeanwasdelicate，rather.Thedoctorsaidthathewasanaemic，prescribediron，raremeatandbroth.
Butthelittlefellowlovedonlycakeandrefusedallothernourishment;
andthefather，indespair，stuffedhimwithcream—puffsandchocolateeclairs.
Oneevening，astheyweresittingdowntosupper，Celestebroughtonthesoupwithanairofauthorityandanassurancewhichshedidnotusuallyhave.Shetookoffthecoverand，dippingtheladleintothedish，shedeclared：
\"HereissomebrothsuchasIhavenevermade;theyoungonewillhavetotakesomethistime.\"
M.Lemonnier，frightened，benthishead.Hesawastormbrewing.
Celestetookhisplate，filleditherselfandplaceditinfrontofhim.
Hetastedthesoupandsaid：
\"Itis，indeed，excellent.\"
Theservanttooktheboy’splateandpouredaspoonfulofsoupinit.
Thensheretreatedafewstepsandwaited.
Jeansmelledthefoodandpushedhisplateawaywithanexpressionofdisgust.Celeste，suddenlypale，quicklysteppedforwardandforciblypouredaspoonfuldownthechild’sopenmouth.
Hechoked，coughed，sneezed，spat;howling，heseizedhisglassandthrewitathisnurse.Shereceiveditfullinthestomach.Then，exasperated，shetooktheyoungshaver’sheadunderherarmandbeganpouringspoonfulafterspoonfulofsoupdownhisthroat.Hegrewasredasabeet，andhewouldcoughitup，stamping，twisting，choking，beatingtheairwithhishands.
Atfirstthefatherwassosurprisedthathecouldnotmove.Then，suddenly，herushedforward，wildwithrage，seizedtheservantbythethroatandthrewherupagainstthewallstammering：
\"Out！Out！Out！youbrute！\"
Butsheshookhimoff，and，herhairstreamingdownherback，hereyessnapping，shecriedout：
\"What’sgettin’holdofyou？You’retryingtothrashmebecauseIammakingthischildeatsoupwhenyouarefillinghimwithsweetstuff！\"
Hekeptrepeating，tremblingfromheadtofoot：
\"Out！Getout—getout，youbrute！\"
Then，wild，sheturnedtohimand，pushingherfaceupagainsthis，hervoicetrembling：
\"Ah！——youthink—youthinkthatyoucantreatmelikethat？Oh！no.Andforwhom？——forthatbratwhoisnotevenyours.No，notyours！No，notyours——notyours！Everybodyknowsit，exceptyourself！Askthegrocer，thebutcher，thebaker，allofthem，anyoneofthem！\"
Shewasgrowlingandmumbling，chokedwithpassion;thenshestoppedandlookedathim.
Hewasmotionlesslivid，hisarmshangingbyhissides.Afterashortpause，hemurmuredinafaint，shakyvoice，instinctwithdeepfeeling：
\"Yousay？yousay？Whatdoyousay？\"
Sheremainedsilent，frightenedbyhisappearance.Oncemorehesteppedforward，repeating：
\"Yousay——whatdoyousay？\"
Theninacalmvoice，sheanswered：
\"IsaywhatIknow，whateverybodyknows.\"
Heseizedherand，withthefuryofabeast，hetriedtothrowherdown.
But，althoughold，shewasstrongandnimble.Sheslippedunderhisarm，andrunningaroundthetableoncemorefurious，shescreamed：
\"Lookathim，justlookathim，foolthatyouare！Isn’thethelivingimageofM.Durefour？justlookathisnoseandhiseyes！Areyourslikethat？Andhishair！Isitlikehismother’s？Itellyouthateveryoneknowsit，everyoneexceptyourself！It’sthejokeofthetown！Lookathim！\"
Shewenttothedoor，openedit，anddisappeared.
Jean，frightened，satmotionlessbeforehisplateofsoup.
Attheendofanhour，shereturnedgently，toseehowmattersstood.
Thechild，afterdoingawaywithallthecakesandapitcherfullofcreamandoneofsyrup，wasnowemptyingthejam—potwithhissoup—spoon.
Thefatherhadgoneout.
Celestetookthechild，kissedhim，andgentlycarriedhimtohisroomandputhimtobed.Shecamebacktothedining—room，clearedthetable，puteverythinginplace，feelingveryuneasyallthetime.
Notasinglesoundcouldbeheardthroughoutthehouse.Sheputherearagainst’shermaster’sdoor.Heseemedtobeperfectlystill.Sheputhereyetothekeyhole.Hewaswriting，andseemedverycalm.
Thenshereturnedtothekitchenandsatdown，readyforanyemergency.
Shesleptonachairandawokeatdaylight.
Shedidtheroomsasshehadbeenaccustomedtoeverymorning;shesweptanddusted，and，towardseighto’clock，preparedM.Lemonnier’sbreakfast.
Butshedidnotdarebringittohermaster，knowingtoowellhowshewouldbereceived;shewaitedforhimtoring.Buthedidnotring.
Nineo’clock，thenteno’clockwentby.
Celeste，notknowingwhattothink，preparedhertrayandstartedupwithit，herheartbeatingfast.
Shestoppedbeforethedoorandlistened.Everythingwasstill.Sheknocked;noanswer.Then，gatheringupallhercourage，sheopenedthedoorandentered.Withawildshriek，shedroppedthebreakfasttraywhichshehadbeenholdinginherhand.
Inthemiddleoftheroom，M.Lemonnierwashangingbyaropefromaringintheceiling.Histonguewasstickingouthorribly.Hisrightslipperwaslyingontheground，hisleftonestillonhisfoot.Anupturnedchairhadrolledovertothebed.
Celeste，dazed，ranawayshrieking.Alltheneighborscrowdedtogether.
Thephysiciandeclaredthathehaddiedataboutmidnight.
AletteraddressedtoM.Duretdurwasfoundonthetableofthesuicide.
Itcontainedthesewords：
\"Ileaveandentrustthechildtoyou！\"
ACOUNTRYEXCURSION
ForfivemonthstheyhadbeentalkingofgoingtotakeluncheoninoneofthecountrysuburbsofParisonMadameDufour’sbirthday，andastheywerelookingforwardveryimpatientlytotheouting，theyroseveryearlythatmorning.MonsieurDufourhadborrowedthemilkman’swagonanddrovehimself.Itwasaverytidy，two—wheeledconveyance，withacoversupportedbyfourironrods，withcurtainsthathadbeendrawnup，excepttheoneattheback，whichfloatedoutlikeasail.MadameDufour，resplendentinawonderful，cherrycoloredsilkdress，satbythesideofherhusband.
Theoldgrandmotherandagirlsatbehindthemontwochairs，andaboywithyellowhairwaslyingatthebottomofthewagon，withnothingtobeseenofhimexcepthishead.
WhentheyreachedthebridgeofNeuilly，MonsieurDufoursaid：\"Hereweareinthecountryatlast！\"andatthatsignalhiswifegrewsentimentalaboutthebeautiesofnature.WhentheygottothecrossroadsatCourbevoietheywereseizedwithadmirationforthedistantlandscape.
OntherightwasArgenteuilwithitsbelltower，andaboveitrosethehillsofSannoisandthemillofOrgemont，whileonthelefttheaqueductofMarlystoodoutagainsttheclearmorningsky，andinthedistancetheycouldseetheterraceofSaint—Germain;andoppositethem，attheendofalowchainofhills，thenewfortofCormeilles.Quiteinthedistance;averylongwayoff，beyondtheplainsandvillage，onecouldseethesombregreenoftheforests.
Thesunwasbeginningtoburntheirfaces，thedustgotintotheireyes，andoneithersideoftheroadtherestretchedaninterminabletractofbare，uglycountrywithanunpleasantodor.Onemighthavethoughtthatithadbeenravagedbyapestilence，whichhadevenattackedthebuildings，forskeletonsofdilapidatedanddesertedhouses，orsmallcottages，whichwereleftinanunfinishedstate，becausethecontractorshadnotbeenpaid，rearedtheirfourrooflesswallsoneachside.
Hereandtheretallfactorychimneysroseupfromthebarrensoil.Theonlyvegetationonthatputridland，wherethespringbreezeswaftedanodorofpetroleumandslate，blendedwithanotherodorthatwasevenlessagreeable.Atlast，however，theycrossedtheSeineasecondtime，andthebridgewasadelight.Theriversparkledinthesun，andtheyhadafeelingofquietenjoyment，feltrefreshedastheydrankinthepurerairthatwasnotimpregnatedbytheblacksmokeoffactoriesnorbythemiasmafromthedepositsofnightsoil.AmanwhomtheymettoldthemthatthenameoftheplacewasBezons.MonsieurDufourpulledupandreadtheattractiveannouncementoutsideaneatinghouse：RestaurantPoulin，matelottesandfriedfish，privaterooms，arbors，andswings.
\"Well，MadameDufour，willthissuityou？Willyoumakeupyourmindatlast？\"
Shereadtheannouncementinherturnandthenlookedatthehouseforsometime.
Itwasawhitecountryinn，builtbytheroadside，andthroughtheopendoorshecouldseethebrightzincofthecounter，atwhichsattwoworkmenintheirSundayclothes.Atlastshemadeuphermindandsaid：
\"Yes，thiswilldo;and，besides，thereisaview.\"
Theydroveintoalargefieldbehindtheinn，separatedfromtheriverbythetowingpath，anddismounted.Thehusbandsprangoutfirstandthenheldouthisarmsforhiswife，andasthestepwasveryhighMadameDufour，inordertoreachhim，hadtoshowthelowerpartofherlimbs，whoseformerslendernesshaddisappearedinfat，andMonsieurDufour，whowasalreadygettingexcitedbythecountryair，pinchedhercalf，andthen，takingherinhisarms，hesetherontheground，asifshehadbeensomeenormousbundle.Sheshookthedustoutofthesilkdressandthenlookedroundtoseeinwhatsortofaplaceshewas.
Shewasastoutwoman，ofaboutthirty—six，full—blown，anddelightfultolookat.Shecouldhardlybreathe，ashercorsetswerelacedtootightly，andtheirpressureforcedhersuperabundantbosomuptoherdoublechin.Nextthegirlplacedherhandonherfather’sshoulderandjumpeddownlightly.Theboywiththeyellowhairhadgotdownbysteppingonthewheel，andhehelpedMonsieurDufourtolifthisgrandmotherout.Thentheyunharnessedthehorse，whichtheyhadtiedtoatree，andthecarriagefellback，withbothshaftsintheair.Thementookofftheircoatsandwashedtheirhandsinapailofwaterandthenwentandjoinedtheladies，whohadalreadytakenpossessionoftheswings.
MademoiselleDufourwastryingtoswingherselfstandingup，butshecouldnotsucceedingettingastart.Shewasaprettygirlofabouteighteen，oneofthosewomenwhosuddenlyexciteyourdesirewhenyoumeettheminthestreetandwholeaveyouwithavaguefeelingofuneasinessandofexcitedsenses.Shewastall，hadasmallwaistandlargehips，withadarkskin，verylargeeyesandveryblackhair.Herdressclearlymarkedtheoutlinesofherfirm，fullfigure，whichwasaccentuatedbythemotionofherhipsasshetriedtoswingherselfhigher.Herarmswerestretchedupwardtoholdtherope，sothatherbosomroseateverymovementshemade.Herhat，whichagustofwindhadblownoff，washangingbehindher，andastheswinggraduallyrosehigherandhigher，sheshowedherdelicatelimbsuptothekneeseachtime，andthebreezefromherflyingskirts，whichwasmoreheadythanthefumesofwine，blewintothefacesofthetwomen，whowerelookingatherandsmiling.
Sittingintheotherswing，MadameDufourkeptsayinginamonotonousvoice：
\"Cyprian，comeandswingme;docomeandswingme，Cyprian！\"
Atlasthewent，andturninguphisshirtsleeves，asifundertakingahardpieceofwork，withmuchdifficultyhesethiswifeinmotion.Sheclutchedthetworopesandheldherlegsoutstraight，soasnottotouchtheground.Sheenjoyedfeelingdizzyatthemotionoftheswing，andherwholefigureshooklikeajellyonadish，butasshewenthigherandhigher;shebecametoogiddyandwasfrightened.Eachtimetheswingcamedownsheutteredapiercingscream，whichmadeallthelittleurchinsintheneighborhoodcomeround，anddownbelow，beneaththegardenhedge，shevaguelysawarowofmischievousheadsmakingvariousgrimacesastheylaughed.
Whenaservantgirlcameouttheyorderedluncheon.
\"Somefriedfish，arabbitsaute，saladanddessert，\"MadameDufoursaid，withanimportantair.
\"Bringtwoquartsofbeerandabottleofclaret，\"herhusbandsaid.
\"Wewillhavelunchonthegrass，\"thegirladded.
Thegrandmother，whohadanaffectionforcats，hadbeenrunningafteronethatbelongedtothehouse，tryingtocoaxittocometoherforthelasttenminutes.Theanimal，whowasnodoubtsecretlyflatteredbyherattentions，keptclosetothegoodwoman，butjustoutofreachofherhand，andquietlywalkedroundthetrees，againstwhichsherubbedherself，withhertailup，purringwithpleasure.
\"Hello！\"suddenlyexclaimedtheyoungmanwiththeyellowhair，whowaswanderingabout.\"Herearetwoswellboats！\"Theyallwenttolookatthemandsawtwobeautifulcanoesinawoodenshed;theywereasbeautifullyfinishedasiftheyhadbeenornamentalfurniture.Theyhungsidebyside，liketwotall，slendergirls，intheirnarrowshininglength，andmadeonewishtofloatinthemonwarmsummermorningsandeveningsalongtheflower—coveredbanksoftheriver，wherethetreesdiptheirbranchesintothewater，wheretherushesarecontinuallyrustlinginthebreezeandwheretheswiftkingfishersdartaboutlikeflashesofbluelightning.
Thewholefamilylookedatthemwithgreatrespect.
\"Oh，theyareindeedswellboats！\"MonsieurDufourrepeatedgravely，asheexaminedthemlikeaconnoiseur.Hehadbeeninthehabitofrowinginhisyoungerdays，hesaid，andwhenhehadspatinhishands——andhewentthroughtheactionofpullingtheoars——hedidnotcareafigforanybody.HehadbeatenmorethanoneEnglishmanformerlyattheJoinvilleregattas.Hegrewquiteexcitedatlastandofferedtomakeabetthatinaboatlikethathecouldrowsixleaguesanhourwithoutexertinghimself.
\"Luncheonisready，\"thewaitresssaid，appearingattheentrancetotheboathouse，andtheyallhurriedoff.ButtwoyoungmenhadtakentheveryseatsthatMadameDufourhadselectedandwereeatingtheirluncheon.Nodoubttheyweretheownersofthesculls，fortheywereinboatingcostume.Theywerestretchedout，almostlyingonthechairs;
theyweresun—brownedandtheirthincottonjerseys，withshortsleeves，showedtheirbarearms，whichwereasstrongasablacksmith’s.Theyweretwostrong，athleticfellows，whoshowedinalltheirmovementsthatelasticityandgraceoflimbwhichcanonlybeacquiredbyexerciseandwhichissodifferenttothedeformitywithwhichmonotonousheavyworkstampsthemechanic.
Theyexchangedarapidsmilewhentheysawthemotherandthenaglanceonseeingthedaughter.
\"Letusgiveupourplace，\"oneofthemsaid;\"itwillmakeusacquaintedwiththem.\"
Theothergotupimmediately，andholdinghisblackandredboatingcapinhishand，hepolitelyofferedtheladiestheonlyshadyplaceinthegarden.Withmanyexcusestheyaccepted，andthatitmightbemorerural，theysatonthegrass，withouteithertablesorchairs.
Thetwoyoungmentooktheirplates，knives，forks，etc.，toatablealittlewayoffandbegantoeatagain，andtheirbarearms，whichtheyshowedcontinually，ratherembarrassedthegirl.Sheevenpretendedtoturnherheadasideandnottoseethem，whileMadameDufour，whowasratherbolder，temptedbyfemininecuriosity，lookedatthemeverymoment，and，nodoubt，comparedthemwiththesecretunsightlinessofherhusband.Shehadsquattedherselfonground，withherlegstuckedunderher，afterthemanneroftailors，andshekeptmovingaboutrestlessly，sayingthatantswerecrawlingabouthersomewhere.MonsieurDufour，annoyedatthepresenceofthepolitestrangers，wastryingtofindacomfortablepositionwhichhedidnot，however，succeedindoing，andtheyoungmanwiththeyellowhairwaseatingassilentlyasanogre.
\"Itislovelyweather，monsieur，\"thestoutladysaidtooneoftheboatingmen.Shewishedtobefriendlybecausetheyhadgivenuptheirplace.
\"Itis，indeed，madame，\"hereplied.\"Doyouoftengointothecountry？\"
\"Oh，onlyonceortwiceayeartogetalittlefreshair.Andyou，monsieur？\"
\"Icomeandsleephereeverynight.\"
\"Oh，thatmustbeverynice！\"
\"Certainlyitis，madame.\"Andhegavethemsuchapracticalaccountofhisdailylifethatitawakenedafreshintheheartsoftheseshopkeeperswhoweredeprivedofthemeadowsandwholongedforcountrywalks，tothatfoolishloveofnaturewhichtheyallfeelsostronglythewholeyearroundbehindthecounterintheirshop.
ThegirlraisedhereyesandlookedattheoarsmanwithemotionandMonsieurDufourspokeforthefirsttime.
\"Itisindeedahappylife，\"hesaid.Andthenheadded：\"Alittlemorerabbit，mydear？\"
\"No，thankyou，\"shereplied，andturningtotheyoungmenagain，andpointingtotheirarms，asked：\"Doyouneverfeelcoldlikethat？\"
Theybothbegantolaugh，andtheyastonishedthefamilywithanaccountoftheenormousfatiguetheycouldendure，oftheirbathingwhileinastateoftremendousperspiration，oftheirrowinginthefogatnight;
andtheystrucktheirchestsviolentlytoshowhowhollowtheysounded.
\"Ah！Youlookverystrong，\"saidthehusband，whodidnottalkanymoreofthetimewhenheusedtobeattheEnglish.Thegirlwaslookingatthemsidewaysnow，andtheyoungfellowwiththeyellowhair，whohadswallowedsomewinethewrongway，wascoughingviolentlyandbespatteringMadameDufour’scherry—coloredsilkdress.Shegotangryandsentforsomewatertowashthespots.