When he
spoke to the doctor on this subject, the other replied:
"Oh! I think he is very favorably disposed. I know that he would be
delighted to sell that huge, unprofitable estate, for with his increasing
pecuniary wants he is very much embarrassed by it. You are aware, no
doubt, that things are going from bad to worse in his household."
Then the doctor broke off to inquire: "And our friend Beauchene, have you
warned him of your intention to leave the works?"
"Why, no, not yet," said Mathieu; "and I would ask you to keep the matter
private, for I wish to have everything settled before informing him."
Lunching quickly, they had now got to their coffee, and the doctor
offered to drive Mathieu back to the works, as he was going there
himself, for Madame Beauchene had requested him to call once a week, in
order that he might keep an eye on Maurice's health. Not only did the lad
still suffer from his legs, but he had so weak and delicate a stomach
that he had to be dieted severely.
"It's the kind of stomach one finds among children who have not been
brought up by their own mothers," continued Boutan. "Your plucky wife
doesn't know that trouble; she can let her children eat whatever they
fancy.
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