The big brothers were too late!
Neither their wisdom nor their diplomacy had been needed. They themselves
made merry over it, feeling the while greatly relieved that the victory
should have been won without any battle.
Marianne, whose eyes were moist, and who felt divinely happy, so happy
that she seemed already well again, simply replied to Mathieu: "You see,
my friend, it's done. But as yet I know nothing further. Gregoire came
here and kissed me, and wished me to send for Gervais and Claire at once.
Then, of his own accord, he told them that they were all three mad in
causing me such grief, and that they ought to come to an understanding
together. Thereupon they kissed one another. And now it's done; it's all
over."
But Gregoire gayly intervened. "Wait a moment; just listen; I cut too
fine a figure in the story as mamma relates it, and I must tell you the
truth. I wasn't the first to desire the reconciliation; the first was my
wife, Therese. She has a good sterling heart and the very brains of a
mule, in such wise that whenever she is determined on anything I always
have to do it in the end. Well, yesterday evening we had a bit of a
quarrel, for she had heard, I don't know how, that mamma was ill with
grief.
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