And she
takes these children to some of the rearers in the country. She just now
came to see me before going round to my friend Madame Menoux, whose baby
she is to take away with her."
Valentine became interested. This Madame Menoux was a haberdasher in the
neighborhood and a great friend of Celeste's. She had married a former
soldier, a tall handsome fellow, who now earned a hundred and fifty
francs a month as an attendant at a museum. She was very fond of him, and
had bravely set up a little shop, the profits from which doubled their
income, in such wise that they lived very happily and almost at their
ease. Celeste, who frequently absented herself from her duties to spend
hours gossiping in Madame Menoux's little shop, was forever being scolded
for this practice; but in the present instance Valentine, full of anxiety
and curiosity, did not chide her. The maid was quite proud at being
questioned, and informed her mistress that Madame Menoux's baby was a
fine little boy, and that the mother had been attended by a certain
Madame Rouche, who lived at the lower end of the Rue du Rocher.
"It was I who recommended her," continued the servant, "for a friend of
mine whom she had attended had spoken to me very highly of her.
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