e between your
teeth," said the goodman to the porter as they reached the door.

"The old fox! I thought he was deaf; seems he can hear fast enough in
frosty weather."

"Here's twenty sous for your New Year, and _mum_!" said Grandet. "Be off
with you! Nanon shall take back your barrow. Nanon, are the linnets at
church?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Then lend a hand! go to work!" he cried, piling the sacks upon her.
In a few moments all were carried up to his inner room, where he shut
himself in with them. "When breakfast is ready, knock on the wall," he
said as he disappeared. "Take the barrow back to the coach-office."

The family did not breakfast that day until ten o'clock.

"Your father will not ask to see your gold downstairs," said Madame
Grandet as they got back from Mass. "You must pretend to be very chilly.
We may have time to replace the treasure before your fete-day."

Grandet came down the staircase thinking of his splendid speculation
in government securities, and wondering how he could metamorphose his
Parisian silver into solid gold; he was making up his mind to invest in
this way everything he could lay hands on until the Funds should reach
a par value. Fatal reverie for Eugenie! As soon as he came in, the two
women wished him a happy New Year,--his daughter by putting her arms
round his neck and caressing him; Madame Grandet gravely and with
dignity.

"Ha! ha! my child," he said, kissing his daughter on both cheeks. "I
work for you, don't you see? I think of your happiness. Must have money
to be happy. Without money there's not a particle of happiness. Here!
there's a new napoleon for you. I sent to Paris for it. On my word of
honor, it's all the gold I have; you are the only one that has got any
gold. I want to see your gold, little one."

"Oh! it is too cold; let us have breakfast," answered Eugenie.

"Well, after breakfast, then; it will help the digestion. That fat des
Grassins sent me the pate. Eat as much as you like, my children, it
costs nothing. Des Grassins is getting along very well. I am satisfied
with him. The old fish is doing Charles a good service, and gratis too.
He is making a very good settlement of that poor deceased Grandet's
business. Hoo! hoo!" he muttered, with his mouth full, after a pause,
"how good it is! Eat some, wife; that will feed you for at least two
days."

"I am not hungry. I am very poorly; you know that."

"Ah, bah! you can stuff yourself as full as you please