Young though the boy was, he already had a
finely-formed face, that suggested the beauty of a cherub. And he was
very well behaved; he did not raise the faintest wail. But a shudder
swept through Mathieu. How abominable!
La Couteau quickly sprang from the cab as soon as they reached the
courtyard of the St. Lazare Station. "Thank you, monsieur, you have been
very kind," said she. "And if you will kindly recommend me to any ladies
you may know, I shall be quite at their disposal."
Then Mathieu, having alighted on the pavement in his turn, saw a scene
which detained him there a few moments longer. Amid all the scramble of
passengers and luggage, five women of peasant aspect, each carrying an
infant, were darting in a scared, uneasy way hither and thither, like
crows in trouble, with big yellow beaks quivering and black wings
flapping with anxiety. Then, on perceiving La Couteau, there was one
general caw, and all five swooped down upon her with angry, voracious
mien. And, after a furious exchange of cries and explanations, the six
banded themselves together, and, with cap-strings waving and skirts
flying, rushed towards the train, carrying the little ones, like birds of
prey who feared delay in returning to the charnel-house.
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