Then, as he suddenly began to shiver, he remarked that the room was cold,
and blamed himself for not having already lighted the fire. Some logs and
some small wood were piled in a corner, near the chimney-piece.
"How stupid of me!" he exclaimed; "here am I leaving you to freeze."
Then he knelt down before the fireplace, while she protested: "What an
idea! Leave all that, and call Zoe."
"No, no, she doesn't know how to light the fire properly, and besides, it
amuses me."
He laughed triumphantly when a bright clear fire began to crackle,
filling the room with additional cheerfulness. The place was now a little
paradise, said he; but he had scarcely finished washing and dressing when
the partition behind the bed was shaken by a vigorous thumping.
"Ah! the rascals," he gayly exclaimed. "They are awake, you see! Oh!
well, we may let them come, since to-day is Sunday."
For a few moments there had been a noise as of an aviary in commotion in
the adjoining room. Prattling, shrill chirping, and ringing bursts of
laughter could be heard. Then came a noise as of pillows and bolsters
flying about, while two little fists continued pummelling the partition
as if it were a drum.
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