But Beauchene and Seguin marvelled, for they remembered their visit in
the month of January, when the frozen ground had been wrapt in sleep and
mystery. They had then guessed nothing, and now they were amazed at this
miraculous awakening, this conquering fertility, which had changed a part
of the marshy tableland into a field of living wealth. And Seguin, in
particular, did not cease praising and admiring, certain as he now felt
that he would be paid, and already hoping that Mathieu would soon take a
further portion of the estate off his hands.
Then, as soon as they had walked to the old pavilion, now transformed
into a little farm, and had seated themselves in the garden, pending
dinner-time, the conversation fell upon children. Marianne, as it
happened, had weaned Gervais the day before, and he was there among the
ladies, still somewhat unsteady on his legs, and yet boldly going from
one to the other, careless of his frequent falls on his back or his nose.
He was a gay-spirited child who seldom lost his temper, doubtless because
his health was so good. His big clear eyes were ever laughing; he offered
his little hands in a friendly way, and was very white, very pink, and
very sturdy--quite a little man indeed, though but fifteen and a half
months old.
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