"
Beauchene, ceasing to chew his cigar, shrugged his shoulders, and burst
into a sonorous laugh: "Oh! don't you worry, that youngster will live to
be a hundred! Why, the Burgundian who nursed him was as strong as a rock!
But, I say, doctor, you intend then to make the Chambers pass a law for
obligatory nursing by mothers?"
At this sally Boutan also began to laugh. "Well, why not?" said he.
This at once supplied Beauchene with material for innumerable jests. Why,
such a law would completely upset manners and customs, social life would
be suspended, and drawing-rooms would become deserted! Posters would be
placarded everywhere bearing the inscription: "Closed on account of
nursing."
"Briefly," said Beauchene, in conclusion, "you want to have a
revolution."
"A revolution, yes," the doctor gently replied, "and we will effect it."
X
MATHIEU finished studying his great scheme, the clearing and cultivation
of Chantebled, and at last, contrary to all prudence but with all the
audacity of fervent faith and hope, it was resolved upon. He warned
Beauchene one morning that he should leave the works at the end of the
month, for on the previous day he had spoken to Seguin, and had found him
quite willing to sell the little pavilion and some fifty acres around it
on very easy terms.
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