"My opinion," he said to Norine, "is that you should keep his father's
name from him for the present. Later on we will see. But just now I
should fear worry for everybody."
She eagerly acquiesced. "Oh! you need not be anxious," she responded. "I
have already told him that his father is dead. If I were to speak out
everything would fall on my shoulders, and my great desire is to be left
in peace in my corner with my little one."
With sorrowful mien Mathieu continued reflecting, unable to make up his
mind to utterly abandon the young man. "If he would only work, I would
find him some employment. And I would even take him on at the farm later,
when I should no longer have cause to fear that he might contaminate my
people. However, I will see what can be done; I know a wheelwright who
would doubtless employ him, and I will write to you in order that you may
tell him where to apply, when he comes back to see you."
"What? When he comes back!" she cried in despair. "So you think that he
will come back. O God! O God! I shall never be happy again."
He did, indeed, come back. But when she gave him the wheelwright's
address he sneered and shrugged his shoulders.
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