But all the same, mamma has a weakness for him,
and lets him take all my earnings. Yes, indeed, I've had quite enough of
him, especially as he is always terrifying me out of my wits, threatening
to beat and even kill me, though he well knows that ever since my illness
the slightest noise throws me into a faint. And as, all considered,
neither papa nor mamma needs me, it's quite excusable, isn't it, that I
should prefer living quietly alone. It is my right, is it not, monsieur?"
She went on to speak of her sister Euphrasie, who had fallen into a most
wretched condition, said she, ever since passing through Dr. Gaude's
hands. Her home had virtually been broken up, she had become decrepit, a
mere bundle of rags, unable even to handle a broom. It made one tremble
to see her. Then, after a pause, just as the cab was reaching the Rue
Caroline, the girl continued: "Will you come up to see her? You might say
a few kind words to her. It would please me, for I'm going on a rather
unpleasant errand. I thought that she would have strength enough to make
some little boxes like me, and thus earn a few pence for herself; but she
has kept the work I gave her more than a month now, and if she really
cannot do it I must take it back.
Pages:
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384