he pulls like that it is as if he
were drinking me up entirely."

Then Mathieu, deeply moved, turned towards the others, saying: "Ah! she
is quite right. I only wish that every mother could hear her, and make
it the fashion in France once more to suckle their infants. It would be
sufficient if it became an ideal of beauty. And, indeed, is it not of
the loftiest and brightest beauty?"

The Angelins complaisantly began to laugh, but they did not seem
convinced. Just as they rose to take their leave an extraordinary uproar
burst forth beneath the window, the piercing clamor of little wildings,
freely romping in the fields. And it was all caused by Ambroise throwing
a ball, which had lodged itself on a tree. Blaise and Denis were
flinging stones at it to bring it down, and Rose called and jumped and
stretched out her arms as if she hoped to be able to reach the ball. The
Angelins stopped short, surprised and almost nervous.

"Good heavens!" murmured Claire, "what will it be when you have a
dozen?"

"But the house would seem quite dead if they did not romp and shout,"
said Marianne, much amused. "Good-by, my dear. I will go to see you when
I can get about."

The months of March and April proved superb, and all went well with
Marianne. Thus the lonely little house, nestling amid foliage, was ever
joyous. Each Sunday in particular proved a joy, for the father did not
then have to go to his office. On the other days he started off early
in the morning, and returned about seven o'clock, ever busily laden with
work in the interval. And if his constant perambulations did not affect
his good-humor, he was nevertheless often haunted by thoughts of the
future. Formerly he had never been alarmed by the penury of his little
home. Never had he indulged in any dream of ambition or wealth. Besides,
he knew that his wife's only idea of happiness, like his own, was to
live there in very simple fashion, leading a brave life of health,
peacefulness, and love. But while he did not desire the power procured
by a high position and the enjoyment offered by a large fortune, he
could not help asking himself how he was to provide, were it ever so
modestly, for his increasing family. What would he be able to do, should
he have other children; how would he procure the necessaries of life
each time that a fresh birth might impose fresh requirements upon him?
One situated as he was must create resources, draw food from the earth
step by step, eac