Part 52 (1/2)
”You haven't kissed my children yet, my two little boys; they are charming little fellows, perfect demons! But bright! you may judge for yourself.”
”Where are they?”
”They're in bed; it's nearly eight o'clock.”
”We mustn't wake them.”
”No; you shall see them to-morrow. It's more than a year since you came to see us--fifteen months at least! They have grown tremendously in that time! The older one is four now, and the younger three. You can tell us whom they look like.”
Deneterre's appearance interrupted our conversation. My brother-in-law manifested great pleasure at my arrival; he embraced me with sincere cordiality, urged me to pa.s.s the winter with them at Melun, and I saw in his eyes that his heart agreed with his lips; I noticed simply that when he came in he had in his hands a billiard cue, which he stood in a corner. We talked business and the news of Paris for a moment. Deneterre was in good spirits; his cotton mill was prosperous, his business was in excellent shape, he hoped to be able to retire and live on his income in a few years.
While we were talking, Amelie went in and out, gave orders, had a room made ready for me, invited me to take something before supper.
”I never take supper,” I said.
”You must do it here, my dear; it's one of the customs of the province, and it's not disagreeable, I a.s.sure you.”
”All right; I'll take supper when I am hungry.”
”Speaking of eating,” said Deneterre, ”where are the children? Why don't they come to kiss their uncle?”
”They're in bed, my dear,” said Amelie.
”In bed, already! why, that's ridiculous! You put them to bed too early.”
”Their health requires it.”
”Boys don't need to sleep so much.”
”Boys who run about and play all day must need rest when night comes.”
”No matter; I want them to come to kiss their uncle.”
”They can do it just as well to-morrow morning.”
”To-morrow! to-morrow! that won't be the same thing at all. I'm going to get them.”
”What! wake them up! upon my word! I would like to see you--just to make them sick.”
”You're the one who makes them sick, making them sleep like dormice.”
”At this rate, I shan't have anything to say about my own children.”
”They are boys; it's my place to train them.”
”You don't understand anything about it; besides, it isn't my fault that they're not girls.”
As I saw that the discussion was becoming warm, I made haste to change the subject by taking the billiard cue and handing it to Deneterre.
”Is this cue yours?”