ing to share
them."

It seemed to her that she had still so much to say on this subject, but
M. Vulfran did not reply. He did not even appear to be listening to her,
and she was afraid to say more. Later she might make another attempt.

As they left the office M. Vulfran turned to Talouel, who was standing
on the steps, and said:

"Tell the priest to arrange a suitable burial for the three children. It
will be at my expense and I shall be there."

Talouel jumped.

"And let everyone know," continued M. Vulfran, "that all who wish to go
to the church tomorrow, can take the time off. This fire is a great
misfortune."

"We are not responsible for it," said Talouel.

"Not directly ... no," said M. Vulfran.

Perrine had another surprise the next morning. After the mail had been
opened and the replies dictated, M. Vulfran detained Fabry and said: "I
want you to start for Rouen. I think you can spare the time. I have
heard that they have built a model creche there. It is not built by the
town, but someone has had it built to the memory of one whom they have
lost. I want you to see how this is made. Study it in all its
details--the construction, heating and ventilation and the expense of
keeping it up. In three months we must have a creche at the entrance of
all my factories. I don't want such a calamity as that which occurred
yesterday to take place again. I rely upon you and the responsibility is
upon you now."

That evening Perrine told the great news to her governess, who was
delighted. While they were talking about it, M. Vulfran came into the
room.

"Mademoiselle," he said, "I have come to ask a favor of you in the name
of all the village. It is a big favor. It may mean a great sacrifice on
your part. This is it."

In a few words he outlined the request he had to make. It was that
mademoiselle should send in her resignation at the schools and take
charge of the five creches which he was going to build. He knew of no
one who was capable of taking on their shoulders such a big burden. He
would donate a creche to each village and endow it with sufficient
capital to keep up its maintenance.

Although Mlle. Belhomme loved to teach, and it would be indeed a
sacrifice for her to give up her school, she felt, after she had talked
with the blind man, that it was here where her duty lay. It was indeed a
great work that she was called upon to do, and she would enter upon her
task with all the enthusiasm of which her