even, he was so affectionate and kind to me--but
his health is ruined; he is now a weak old man. Soon--I not only fear it,
but I am certain of it--soon he will be incapable of work. I can see his
poor hands tremble now. He will not even have a right to a pension. If he
could not continue to work in the office he could hardly obtain a meagre
relief, and that by favor only. And for long years I can only hope for an
insufficient salary. Oh! to think that the catastrophe draws near, that
one of these days he may fall ill and become infirm, perhaps, and that we
shall be almost needy and I shall be unable to surround him with care in
his old age. That is what makes me tremble!"

They walked along side by side upon the moist, soft ground of the large
garden, under the leafless trees, where hung a slight penetrating mist
which made them shiver under their wraps.

"Amedee," said she, looking at the young man with a serious gentleness,
"I have known you from a child, and I am the elder. I am twenty-two; that
makes me almost an old maid, Amedee, and gives me the right to scold you
a little. You lack confidence in life, my friend, and it is wrong at your
age. Do you think I do not see that my father has aged very much, that
his eyesight fails, that we are much more cramped in circumstances in the
house than formerly? Are we any the more sad? Mamma makes fewer little
dishes and I teach in Paris, that is all. We live nearly the same as
before, and our dear Maria--she is the pet of us all, the joy and pride
of the house-well, our Maria, all the same, has from time to time a new
frock or a pretty hat. I have no experience, but it seems to me that in
order to feel really unhappy I must have nobody to love--that is the only
privation worth the trouble of noticing. Do you know that I have just had
one of the greatest pleasures of my life? I noticed that papa did not
smoke as much as usual, in order to be economical, poor man! Fortunately
I found a new pupil at Batignolles, and as soon as I had the first
month's pay in my pocket I bought a large package of tobacco and put it
beside his work. One must never complain so long as one is fortunate
enough to keep those one loves. I know the secret grief that troubles you
regarding your father; but think what he has suffered, that he loves you,
that you are his only consolation. And when you have gloomy thoughts,
come and see your old friends, Amedee. They will try to warm your heart
at the fire