After an attentive
examination Mathieu had discovered that the work might easily be
executed, and that water-furrows would suffice, such was the disposition
and nature of the ground. This, indeed, was his real discovery, not to
mention the layer of humus which he felt certain would be found amassed
on the plateau, and the wondrous fertility which it would display as soon
as a ploughshare had passed through it. And so with his pick he now began
to open the trench which was to drain the damp soil above, and fertilize
the dry, sterile, thirsty ground below.
The open air, however, had doubtless given Gervais an appetite, for he
began to cry. He was now a strong little fellow, three months and a half
old, and never neglected mealtime. He was growing like one of the young
trees in the neighboring wood, with hands which did not easily release
what they grasped, with eyes too full of light, now all laughter and now
all tears, and with the ever open beak of a greedy bird, that raised a
tempest whenever his mother kept him waiting.
"Yes, yes, I know you are there," said she; "come, don't deafen us any
longer."
Then she gave him the breast and he became quiet, simply purring like a
happy little kitten.
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