pt in
the fields, when this grand spectacle was right under his eyes, and
naturally he then spoke of God, whom he called the "Supreme Being," as
in the time of the Republic, and he said, He was reason and wisdom and
goodness and love; justice, order, and life. The ideas of the
almanac-makers came back to him also, and it was splendid to hear him
talk of the "Pluviose" the season of rains, of "Nivose" the season of
snows, of "Ventose" season of winds, and "Floreal, Prairial, and
Fructidor." He said the ideas of men in those times were more closely
allied to God's, while July, September, and October meant nothing, and
were only invented to confuse and obscure everything. Once on this
subject it was plain that he could not exhaust it. Unfortunately I
have not the learning that that good man had, otherwise it would give
me real pleasure to recount his sayings to you. We were just here when
Mother Gredel, well washed and combed and in her Sunday dress, came
round the corner of the house toward us. He stopped instantly that she
might not be disturbed.

"Here I am," she said, "all in order."

"Sit down," said Father Goulden, making a place for her beside him on
the bench.

"Do you know what time it is?" said she. "Does it not seem long to
you? Listen!" and we heard the city clock slowly strike twelve.

"What! is it noon already! I would not have believed that we had been
here more than ten minutes."

"Yes, it is noon, and dinner is waiting."

"So much the better," said Mr. Goulden, offering his arm to her, "since
you have told me the hour I find I have a good appetite."

They went along the alley arm in arm, and when we were at the door a
most charming sight met our eyes, the great tureen with its red flowers
was smoking on the table, a breast of stuffed veal filled the room with
a delicious odor. A great plate of cinnamon cakes stood on the edge of
the old oak buffet, two bottles of wine, and glasses clear as crystal,
shone on the white cloth beside the plates. The very sight of it made
you feel that it is the joy of the Lord to shower blessings on His
children.

Catherine, with her rosy cheeks and white teeth, laughed to see our
satisfaction, and during the whole dinner our anxiety for the future
was forgotten. We laughed and were as happy as if the world were in
the best condition possible. But as we were taking coffee our sadness
returned, and without knowing why, we were all very grave. Nobody
wis