hed no other's share, each had come with his or her own means
of subsistence. And, besides, 'tis good to garner in excess when the
granaries of a country are empty. Many such improvidents are needed
to combat the egotism of others at times of great dearth. Amid all the
frightful loss and wastage, the race is strengthened, the country is
made afresh, a good civic example is given by such healthy prodigality
as Mathieu and Marianne had shown.

But a last act of heroism was required of them. A month after the
festival, when Dominique was on the point of returning to the Soudan,
Benjamin one evening told them of his passion, of the irresistible
summons from the unknown distant plains, which he could but obey.

"Dear father, darling mother, let me go with Dominique! I have
struggled, I feel horrified with myself at quitting you thus, at your
great age. But I suffer too dreadfully; my soul is full of yearnings,
and seems ready to burst; and I shall die of shameful sloth, if I do not
go."

They listened with breaking hearts. Their son's words did not surprise
them; they had heard them coming ever since their diamond wedding. And
they trembled, and felt that they could not refuse; for they knew that
they were guilty in having kept their last-born in the family nest after
surrendering to life all the others. Ah! how insatiable life was--it
would not so much as suffer that tardy avarice of theirs; it demanded
even the precious, discreetly hidden treasure from which, with jealous
egotism, they had dreamt of parting only when they might find themselves
upon the threshold of the grave.

Deep silence reigned; but at last Mathieu slowly answered: "I cannot
keep you back, my son; go whither life calls you.... If I knew, however,
that I should die to-night, I would ask you to wait till to-morrow."

In her turn Marianne gently said: "Why cannot we die at once? We should
then escape this last great pang, and you would only carry our memory
away with you."

Once again did the cemetery of Janville appear, the field of peace,
where dear ones already slept, and where they would soon join them. No
sadness tinged that thought, however; they hoped that they would lie
down there together on the same day, for they could not imagine life,
one without the other. And, besides, would they not forever live in
their children; forever be united, immortal, in their race?

"Dear father, darling mother," Benjamin repeated; "it is I who will be
dead