ON the day when the first blow with the pick was dealt, Marianne, with Gervais in her arms, came and sat down close by, full of happy emotion at this work of faith and hope which Mathieu was so boldly undertaking1. It was a clear, warm day in the middle of June, with a pure, broad sky that encouraged confidence. And as the children had been given a holiday, they played about in the surrounding grass, and one could hear the shrill3 cries of little Rose while she amused herself with running after the three boys.
"Will you deal the first blow?" Mathieu gayly asked his wife.
He stood there with two men under his orders, but ready himself to undertake part of the hard manual toil5 in order to help on the realization6 of his long thought of, ripening7 scheme. With great prudence9 and wisdom he had assured himself a modest livelihood10 for a year of effort, by an intelligent scheme of association and advances repayable out of profits, which would enable him to wait for his first harvest. And it was his life that he risked on that future crop, should the earth refuse his worship and his labor11. But he was a faithful believer, one who felt certain of conquering, since love and determination were his.
Then he dealt the first blow with his pick.
The work was begun to the left of the old pavilion, in a corner of that extensive marshy13 tableland, where little streams coursed on all sides through the reeds which sprang up everywhere. It was at first simply a question of draining a few acres by capturing these streams and turning them into canals, in order to direct them afterwards over the dry sandy slopes which descended14 towards the railway line. After an attentive15 examination Mathieu had discovered that the work might easily be executed, and that water-furrows16 would suffice, such was the disposition17 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 amassed18 on the plateau, and the wondrous19 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 trench20 which was to drain the damp soil above, and fertilize21 the dry, sterile22, 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 beak23 of a greedy bird, that raised a tempest whenever his mother kept him waiting.
Then she gave him the breast and he became quiet, simply purring like a happy little kitten. The beneficent source had begun to flow once more, as if it were inexhaustible. The trickling25 milk murmured unceasingly. One might have said that it could be heard descending27 and spreading, while Mathieu on his side continued opening his trench, assisted by the two men whose apprenticeship28 was long since past.
He rose up at last, wiped his brow, and with his air of quiet certainty exclaimed: "It's only a trade to learn. In a few months' time I shall be nothing but a peasant. Look at that stagnant29 pond there, green with water-plants. The spring which feeds it is yonder in that big tuft of herbage. And when this trench has been opened to the edge of the slope, you will see the pond dry up, and the spring gush30 forth31 and take its course, carrying the beneficent water away."
"Ah!" said Marianne, "may it fertilize all that stony32 expanse, for nothing can be sadder than dead land. How happy it will be to quench33 its thirst and live again!"
Then she broke off to scold Gervais: "Come, young gentleman, don't pull so hard," said she. "Wait till it comes; you know very well that it's all for you."
Meantime the blows of the pickaxes rang out, the trench rapidly made its way through the fat, moist soil, and soon the water would flow into the parched34 veins35 of the neighboring sandy tracts36 to endow them with fruitfulness. And the light trickling of the mother's milk also continued with the faint murmur26 of an inexhaustible source, flowing from her breast into the mouth of her babe, like a fountain of eternal life. It ever and ever flowed, it created flesh, intelligence, and labor, and strength. And soon its whispering would mingle37 with the babble38 of the delivered spring as it descended along the trenches39 to the dry hot lands. And at last there would be but one and the same stream, one and the same river, gradually overflowing40 and carrying life to all the earth, a mighty41 river of nourishing milk flowing through the world's veins, creating without a pause, and producing yet more youth and more health at each return of springtide.
Four months later, when Mathieu and his men had finished the autumn ploughing, there came the sowing on the same spot. Marianne was there again, and it was such a very mild gray day that she was still able to sit down, and once more gayly give the breast to little Gervais. He was already eight months old and had become quite a personage. He grew a little more every day, always in his mother's arms, on that warm breast whence he sucked life. He was like the seed which clings to the seed-pod so long as it is not ripe. And at that first quiver of November, that approach of winter through which the germs would slumber42 in the furrows, he pressed his chilly43 little face close to his mother's warm bosom44, and nursed on in silence as if the river of life were lost, buried deep beneath the soil.
"Ah!" said Marianne, laughing, "you are not warm, young gentleman, are you? It is time for you to take up your winter quarters."
Just then Mathieu, with his sower's bag at his waist, was returning towards them, scattering45 the seed with broad rhythmical46 gestures. He had heard his wife, and he paused to say to her: "Let him nurse and sleep till the sun comes back. He will be a man by harvest time." And, pointing to the great field which he was sowing with his assistants, he added: "All this will grow and ripen8 when our Gervais has begun to walk and talk--just look, see our conquest!"
He was proud of it. From ten to fifteen acres of the plateau were now rid of the stagnant pools, cleared and levelled; and they spread out in a brown expanse, rich with humus, while the water-furrows which intersected them carried the streams to the neighboring slopes. Before cultivating those dry lands one must yet wait until the moisture should have penetrated47 and fertilized48 them. That would be the work of the future, and thus, by degrees, life would be diffused49 through the whole estate.
"Evening is coming on," resumed Mathieu, "I must make haste."
Then he set off again, throwing the seed with his broad rhythmical gesture. And while Marianne, gravely smiling, watched him go, it occurred to little Rose to follow in his track, and take up handfuls of earth, which she scattered50 to the wind. The three boys perceived her, and Blaise and Denis then hastened up, followed by Ambroise, all gleefully imitating their father's gesture, and darting51 hither and thither52 around him. And for a moment it was almost as if Mathieu with the sweep of his arm not only cast the seed of expected corn into the furrows, but also sowed those dear children, casting them here and there without cessation, so that a whole nation of little sowers should spring up and finish populating the world.
Two months more went by, and January had arrived with a hard frost, when one day the Froments unexpectedly received a visit from Seguin and Beauchene, who had come to try their luck at wild-duck shooting, among such of the ponds on the plateau as had not yet been drained. It was a Sunday, and the whole family was gathered in the roomy kitchen, cheered by a big fire. Through the clear windows one could see the far-spreading countryside, white with rime53, and stiffly slumbering54 under that crystal casing, like some venerated55 saint awaiting April's resurrection. And, that day, when the visitors presented themselves, Gervais also was slumbering in his white cradle, rendered somnolent56 by the season, but plump even as larks57 are in the cold weather, and waiting, he also, simply for life's revival58, in order to reappear in all the triumph of his acquired strength.
The family had gayly partaken of dejeuner, and now, before nightfall, the four children had gathered round a table by the window, absorbed in a playful occupation which delighted them. Helped by Ambroise, the twins, Blaise and Denis, were building a whole village out of pieces of cardboard, fixed59 together with paste. There were houses, a town hall, a church, a school. And Rose, who had been forbidden to touch the scissors, presided over the paste, with which she smeared60 herself even to her hair. In the deep quietude, through which their laughter rang at intervals61, their father and mother had remained seated side by side in front of the blazing fire, enjoying that delightful62 Sunday peace after the week's hard work.
They lived there very simply, like genuine peasants, without any luxury, any amusement, save that of being together. Their gay, bright kitchen was redolent of that easy primitive63 life, lived so near the earth, which frees one from fictitious64 wants, ambition, and the longing65 for pleasure. And no fortune, no power could have brought such quiet delight as that afternoon of happy intimacy66, while the last-born slept so soundly and quietly that one could not even hear him breathe.
Beauchene and Seguin broke in upon the quiet like unlucky sportsmen, with their limbs weary and their faces and hands icy cold. Amid the exclamations67 of surprise which greeted them, they complained of the folly68 that had possessed69 them to venture out of Paris in such bleak70 weather.
"Just fancy, my dear fellow," said Beauchene, "we haven't seen a single duck! It's no doubt too cold. And you can't imagine what a bitter wind blows on the plateau, amid those ponds and bushes bristling71 with icicles. So we gave up the idea of any shooting. You must give us each a glass of hot wine, and then we'll get back to Paris."
Seguin, who was in even a worse humor, stood before the fire trying to thaw72 himself; and while Marianne made haste to warm some wine, he began to speak of the cleared fields which he had skirted. Under the icy covering, however, beneath which they stiffly slumbered73, hiding the seed within them, he had guessed nothing of the truth, and already felt anxious about this business of Mathieu's, which looked anything but encouraging. Indeed, he already feared that he would not be paid his purchase money, and so made bold to speak ironically.
"I say, my dear fellow, I am afraid you have lost your time," he began; "I noticed it all as I went by, and it did not seem promising75. But how can you hope to reap anything from rotten soil in which only reeds have been growing for centuries?"
"One must wait," Mathieu quietly answered. "You must come back and see it all next June."
But Beauchene interrupted them. "There is a train at four o'clock, I think," said he; "let us make haste, for it would annoy us tremendously to miss it, would it not, Seguin?"
So saying, he gave him a gay, meaning glance. They had doubtless planned some little spree together, like husbands bent76 on availing themselves to the utmost of the convenient pretext77 of a day's shooting. Then, having drunk some wine and feeling warmed and livelier, they began to express astonishment78 at their surroundings.
"It stupefies me, my dear fellow," declared Beauchene, "that you can live in this awful solitude79 in the depth of winter. It is enough to kill anybody. I am all in favor of work, you know; but, dash it! one must have some amusement too."
"But we do amuse ourselves," said Mathieu, waving his hand round that rustic80 kitchen in which centred all their pleasant family life.
The two visitors followed his gesture, and gazed in amazement81 at the walls covered with utensils82, at the rough furniture, and at the table on which the children were still building their village after offering their cheeks to be kissed. No doubt they were unable to understand what pleasure there could possibly be there, for, suppressing a jeering83 laugh, they shook their heads. To them it was really an extraordinary life, a life of most singular taste.
"Come and see my little Gervais," said Marianne softly. "He is asleep; mind, you must not wake him."
For politeness' sake they both bent over the cradle, and expressed surprise at finding a child but ten months old so big. He was very good, too. Only, as soon as he should wake, he would no doubt deafen everybody. And then, too, if a fine child like that sufficed to make life happy, how many people must be guilty of spoiling their lives! The visitors came back to the fireside, anxious only to be gone now that they felt enlivened.
"So it's understood," said Mathieu, "you won't stay to dinner with us?"
"Oh, no, indeed!" they exclaimed in one breath.
Then, to attenuate84 the discourtesy of such a cry, Beauchene began to jest, and accepted the invitation for a later date when the warm weather should have arrived.
"On my word of honor, we have business in Paris," he declared. "But I promise you that when it's fine we will all come and spend a day here--yes, with our wives and children. And you will then show us your work, and we shall see if you have succeeded. So good-by! All my good wishes, my dear fellow! Au revoir, cousin! Au revoir, children; be good!"
Then came more kisses and hand-shakes, and the two men disappeared. And when the gentle silence had fallen once more Mathieu and Marianne again found themselves in front of the bright fire, while the children completed the building of their village with a great consumption of paste, and Gervais continued sleeping soundly. Had they been dreaming? Mathieu wondered. What sudden blast from all the shame and suffering of Paris had blown into their far-away quiet? Outside, the country retained its icy rigidity85. The fire alone sang the song of hope in life's future revival. And, all at once, after a few minutes' reverie the young man began to speak aloud, as if he had at last just found the answer to all sorts of grave questions which he had long since put to himself.
"But those folks don't love; they are incapable86 of loving! Money, power, ambition, pleasure--yes, all those things may be theirs, but not love! Even the husbands who deceive their wives do not really love their mistresses. They have never glowed with the supreme87 desire, the divine desire which is the world's very soul, the brazier of eternal life. And that explains everything. Without desire there is no love, no courage, and no hope. By love alone can one create. And if love be restricted in its mission there is but failure. Yes, they lie and deceive, because they do not love. Then they suffer and lapse88 into moral and physical degradation89. And at the end lies the collapse90 of our rotten society, which breaks up more and more each day before our eyes. That, then, is the truth I was seeking. It is desire and love that save. Whoever loves and creates is the revolutionary saviour91, the maker92 of men for the new world which will shortly dawn."
Never before had Mathieu so plainly understood that he and his wife were different from others. This now struck him with extraordinary force. Comparisons ensued, and he realized that their simple life, free from the lust93 of wealth, their contempt for luxury and worldly vanities, all their common participation94 in toil which made them accept and glorify95 life and its duties, all that mode of existence of theirs which was at once their joy and their strength, sprang solely96 from the source of eternal energy: the love with which they glowed. If, later on, victory should remain with them, if they should some day leave behind them work of value and health and happiness, it would be solely because they had possessed the power of love and the courage to love freely, harvesting, in an ever-increasing family, both the means of support and the means of conquest. And this sudden conviction filled Mathieu with such a glow that he leant towards his wife, who sat there deeply moved by what he said, and kissed her ardently97 upon the lips. It was divine love passing like a flaming blast. But she, though her own eyes were sparkling, laughingly scolded him, saying: "Hush98, hush, you will wake Gervais."
Then they remained there hand in hand, pressing each other's fingers amid the silence. Evening was coming on, and at last the children, their village finished, raised cries of rapture99 at seeing it standing100 there among bits of wood, which figured trees. And then the softened101 glances of the parents strayed now through the window towards the crops sleeping beneath the crystalline rime, and now towards their last-born's cradle, where hope was likewise slumbering.
Again did two long months go by. Gervais had just completed his first year, and fine weather, setting in early, was hastening the awaking of the earth. One morning, when Marianne and the children went to join Mathieu on the plateau, they raised shouts of wonder, so completely had the sun transformed the expanse in a single week. It was now all green velvet102, a thick endless carpet of sprouting103 corn, of tender, delicate emerald hue105. Never had such a marvellous crop been seen. And thus, as the family walked on through the mild, radiant April morning, amid the country now roused from winter's sleep, and quivering with fresh youth, they all waxed merry at the sight of that healthfulness, that progressing fruitfulness, which promised the fulfilment of all their hopes. And their rapture yet increased when, all at once, they noticed that little Gervais also was awaking to life, acquiring decisive strength. As he struggled in his little carriage and his mother removed him from it, behold106! he took his flight, and, staggering, made four steps; then hung to his father's legs with his little fists. A cry of extraordinary delight burst forth.
"Why! he walks, he walks!"
Ah! those first lispings of life, those successive flights of the dear little ones; the first glance, the first smile, the first step--what joy do they not bring to parents' hearts! They are the rapturous _etapes_ of infancy107, for which father and mother watch, which they await impatiently, which they hail with exclamations of victory, as if each were a conquest, a fresh triumphal entry into life. The child grows, the child becomes a man. And there is yet the first tooth, forcing its way like a needle-point through rosy108 gums; and there is also the first stammered109 word, the "pa-pa," the "mam-ma," which one is quite ready to detect amid the vaguest babble, though it be but the purring of a kitten, the chirping111 of a bird. Life does its work, and the father and the mother are ever wonderstruck with admiration112 and emotion at the sight of that efflorescence alike of their flesh and their souls.
"Wait a moment," said Marianne, "he will come back to me. Gervais! Gervais!"
And after a little hesitation113, a false start, the child did indeed return, taking the four steps afresh, with arms extended and beating the air as if they were balancing-poles.
"Gervais! Gervais!" called Mathieu in his turn. And the child went back to him; and again and again did they want him to repeat the journey, amid their mirthful cries, so pretty and so funny did they find him.
Then, seeing that the four other children began playing rather roughly with him in their enthusiasm, Marianne carried him away. And once more, on the same spot, on the young grass, did she give him the breast. And again did the stream of milk trickle114 forth.
Close by that spot, skirting the new field, there passed a crossroad, in rather bad condition, leading to a neighboring village. And on this road a cart suddenly came into sight, jolting115 amid the ruts, and driven by a peasant--who was so absorbed in his contemplation of the land which Mathieu had cleared, that he would have let his horse climb upon a heap of stones had not a woman who accompanied him abruptly116 pulled the reins117. The horse then stopped, and the man in a jeering voice called out: "So this, then, is your work, Monsieur Froment?"
Mathieu and Marianne thereupon recognized the Lepailleurs, the people of the mill. They were well aware that folks laughed at Janville over the folly of their attempt--that mad idea of growing wheat among the marshes118 of the plateau. Lepailleur, in particular, distinguished119 himself by the violent raillery he levelled at this Parisian, a gentleman born, with a good berth120, who was so stupid as to make himself a peasant, and fling what money he had to that rascally121 earth, which would assuredly swallow him and his children and his money all together, without yielding even enough wheat to keep them in bread. And thus the sight of the field had stupefied him. It was a long while since he had passed that way, and he had never thought that the seed would sprout104 so thickly, for he had repeated a hundred times that nothing would germinate122, so rotten was all the land. Although he almost choked with covert123 anger at seeing his predictions thus falsified, he was unwilling124 to admit his error, and put on an air of ironical74 doubt.
"So you think it will grow, eh? Well, one can't say that it hasn't come up. Only one must see if it can stand and ripen." And as Mathieu quietly smiled with hope and confidence, he added, striving to poison his joy: "Ah! when you know the earth you'll find what a hussy she is. I've seen plenty of crops coming on magnificently, and then a storm, a gust125 of wind, a mere110 trifle, has reduced them to nothing! But you are young at the trade as yet; you'll get your experience in misfortune."
His wife, who nodded approval on hearing him talk so finely, then addressed herself to Marianne: "Oh! my man doesn't say that to discourage you, madame. But the land you know, is just like children. There are some who live and some who die; some who give one pleasure, and others who kill one with grief. But, all considered, one always bestows126 more on them than one gets back, and in the end one finds oneself duped. You'll see, you'll see."
Without replying, Marianne, moved by these malicious127 predictions, gently raised her trustful eyes to Mathieu. And he, though for a moment irritated by all the ignorance, envy, and imbecile ambition which he felt were before him, contented128 himself with jesting. "That's it, we'll see. When your son Antoine becomes a prefect, and I have twelve peasant daughters ready, I'll invite you to their weddings, for it's your mill that ought to be rebuilt, you know, and provided with a fine engine, so as to grind all the corn of my property yonder, left and right, everywhere!"
The sweep of his arm embraced such a far expanse of ground that the miller129, who did not like to be derided130, almost lost his temper. He lashed131 his horse with his whip, and the cart jolted132 on again through the ruts.
"Wheat in the ear is not wheat in the mill," said he. "Au revoir, and good luck to you, all the same."
"Thanks, au revoir."
Then, while the children still ran about, seeking early primroses133 among the mosses134, Mathieu came and sat down beside Marianne, who, he saw, was quivering. He said nothing to her, for he knew that she possessed sufficient strength and confidence to surmount135, unaided, such fears for the future as threats might kindle136 in her womanly heart. But he simply set himself there, so near her that he touched her, looking and smiling at her the while. And she immediately became calm again and likewise smiled, while little Gervais, whom the words of the malicious could not as yet disturb, nursed more eagerly than ever, with a purr of rapturous satisfaction. The milk was ever trickling, bringing flesh to little limbs which grew stronger day by day, spreading through the earth, filling the whole world, nourishing the life which increased hour by hour. And was not this the answer which faith and hope returned to all threats of death?--the certainty of life's victory, with fine children ever growing in the sunlight, and fine crops ever rising from the soil at each returning spring! To-morrow, yet once again, on the glorious day of harvest, the corn will have ripened137, the children will be men!
And it was thus, indeed, three months later, when the Beauchenes and the Seguins, keeping their promise, came--husbands, wives, and children--to spend a Sunday afternoon at Chantebled. The Froments had even prevailed on Morange to be of the party with Reine, in their desire to draw him for a day, at any rate, from the dolorous138 prostration139 in which he lived. As soon as all these fine folks had alighted from the train it was decided140 to go up to the plateau to see the famous fields, for everybody was curious about them, so extravagant141 and inexplicable142 did the idea of Mathieu's return to the soil, and transformation143 into a peasant, seem to them. He laughed gayly, and at least he succeeded in surprising them when he waved his hand towards the great expanse under the broad blue sky, that sea of tall green stalks whose ears were already heavy and undulated at the faintest breeze. That warm splendid afternoon, the far-spreading fields looked like the very triumph of fruitfulness, a growth of germs which the humus amassed through centuries had nourished with prodigious144 sap, thus producing this first formidable crop, as if to glorify the eternal source of life which sleeps in the earth's flanks. The milk had streamed, and the corn now grew on all sides with overflowing energy, creating health and strength, bespeaking145 man's labor and the kindliness146, the solidarity147 of the world. It was like a beneficent, nourishing ocean, in which all hunger would be appeased148, and in which to-morrow might arise, amid that tide of wheat whose waves were ever carrying good news to the horizon.
True, neither Constance nor Valentine was greatly touched by the sight of the waving wheat, for other ambitions filled their minds: and Morange, though he stared with his vague dim eyes, did not even seem to see it. But Beauchene and Seguin marvelled149, 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 miraculous150 awakening151, 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, pending152 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. Constance and Valentine admired him, while Marianne jested and turned him away each time that he greedily put out his little hands towards her.
"No, no, monsieur, it's over now. You will have nothing but soup in future."
"Weaning is such a terrible business," then remarked Constance. "Did he let you sleep last night?"
"Oh! yes, he had good habits, you know; he never troubled me at night. But this morning he was stupefied and began to cry. Still, you see, he is fairly well behaved already. Besides, I never had more trouble than this with the other ones."
Beauchene was standing there, listening, and, as usual, smoking a cigar. Constance appealed to him:
"You are lucky. But you, dear, remember--don't you?--what a life Maurice led us when his nurse went away. For three whole nights we were unable to sleep."
"But just look how your Maurice is playing!" exclaimed Beauchene. "Yet you'll be telling me again that he is ill."
"Oh! I no longer say that, my friend; he is quite well now. Besides, I was never anxious; I know that he is very strong."
A great game of hide-and-seek was going on in the garden, along the paths and even over the flower-beds, among the eight children who were assembled there. Besides the four of the house--Blaise, Denis, Ambroise, and Rose--there were Gaston and Lucie, the two elder children of the Seguins, who had abstained153, however, from bringing their other daughter--little Andree. Then, too, both Reine and Maurice were present. And the latter now, indeed, seemed to be all right upon his legs, though his square face with its heavy jaw154 still remained somewhat pale. His mother watched him running about, and felt so happy and so vain at the realization of her dream that she became quite amiable155 even towards these poor relatives the Froments, whose retirement156 into the country seemed to her like an incomprehensible downfall, which forever thrust them out of her social sphere.
"Ah! well," resumed Beauchene, "I've only one boy, but he's a sturdy fellow, I warrant it; isn't he, Mathieu?"
These words had scarcely passed his lips when he must have regretted them. His eyelids157 quivered and a little chill came over him as his glance met that of his former designer. For in the latter's clear eyes he beheld158, as it were, a vision of that other son, Norine's ill-fated child, who had been cast into the unknown. Then there came a pause, and amid the shrill cries of the boys and girls playing at hide-and-seek a number of little shadows flitted through the sunlight: they were the shadows of the poor doomed159 babes who scarce saw the light before they were carried off from homes and hospitals to be abandoned in corners, and die of cold, and perhaps even of starvation!
Mathieu had been unable to answer a word. And his emotion increased when he noticed Morange huddled160 up on a chair, and gazing with blurred161, tearful eyes at little Gervais, who was laughingly toddling162 hither and thither. Had a vision come to him also? Had the phantom163 of his dead wife, shrinking from the duties of motherhood and murdered in a hateful den2, risen before him in that sunlit garden, amid all the turbulent mirth of happy, playful children?
"What a pretty girl your daughter Reine is!" said Mathieu, in the hope of drawing the accountant from his haunting remorse164. "Just look at her running about!--so girlish still, as if she were not almost old enough to be married."
Morange slowly raised his head and looked at his daughter. And a smile returned to his eyes, still moist with tears. Day by day his adoration165 increased. As Reine grew up he found her more and more like her mother, and all his thoughts became centred in her. His one yearning166 was that she might be very beautiful, very happy, very rich. That would be a sign that he was forgiven--that would be the only joy for which he could yet hope. And amid it all there was a vague feeling of jealousy167 at the thought that a husband would some day take her from him, and that he would remain alone in utter solitude, alone with the phantom of his dead wife.
"Married?" he murmured; "oh! not yet. She is only fourteen."
At this the others expressed surprise: they would have taken her to be quite eighteen, so womanly was her precocious168 beauty already.
"As a matter of fact," resumed her father, feeling flattered, "she has already been asked in marriage. You know that the Baroness169 de Lowicz is kind enough to take her out now and then. Well, she told me that an arch-millionnaire had fallen in love with Reine--but he'll have to wait! I shall still be able to keep her to myself for another five or six years at least!"
He no longer wept, but gave a little laugh of egotistical satisfaction, without noticing the chill occasioned by the mention of Seraphine's name; for even Beauchene felt that his sister was hardly a fit companion for a young girl.
Then Marianne, anxious at seeing the conversation drop, began, questioning Valentine, while Gervais at last slyly crept to her knees.
"Why did you not bring your little Andree?" she inquired. "I should have been so pleased to kiss her. And she would have been able to play with this little gentleman, who, you see, does not leave me a moment's peace."
But Seguin did not give his wife time to reply. "Ah! no, indeed!" he exclaimed; "in that case I should not have come. It is quite enough to have to drag the two others about. That fearful child has not ceased deafening170 us ever since her nurse went away."
Valentine then explained that Andree was not really well behaved. She had been weaned at the beginning of the previous week, and La Catiche, after terrorizing the household for more than a year, had plunged171 it by her departure into anarchy172. Ah! that Catiche, she might compliment herself on all the money she had cost! Sent away almost by force, like a queen who is bound to abdicate173 at last, she had been loaded with presents for herself and her husband, and her little girl at the village! And now it had been of little use to take a dry-nurse in her place, for Andree did not cease shrieking174 from morning till night. They had discovered, too, that La Catiche had not only carried off with her a large quantity of linen175, but had left the other servants quite spoilt, disorganized, so that a general clearance176 seemed necessary.
"Oh!" resumed Marianne, as if to smooth things, "when the children are well one can overlook other worries."
"Why, do you imagine that Andree is well?" cried Seguin, giving way to one of his brutal177 fits. "That Catiche certainly set her right at first, but I don't know what happened afterwards, for now she is simply skin and bones." Then, as his wife wished to protest, he lost his temper. "Do you mean to say that I don't speak the truth? Why, look at our two others yonder: they have papier-mache faces, too! It is evident that you don't look after them enough. You know what a poor opinion Santerre has of them!"
For him Santerre's opinion remained authoritative178. However, Valentine contented herself with shrugging her shoulders; while the others, feeling slightly embarrassed, looked at Gaston and Lucie, who amid the romping179 of their companions, soon lost breath and lagged behind, sulky and distrustful.
"But, my dear friend," said Constance to Valentine, "didn't our good Doctor Boutan tell you that all the trouble came from your not nursing your children yourself? At all events, that was the compliment that he paid me."
At the mention of Boutan a friendly shout arose. Oh! Boutan, Boutan! he was like all other specialists. Seguin sneered180; Beauchene jested about the legislature decreeing compulsory181 nursing by mothers; and only Mathieu and Marianne remained silent.
"Of course, my dear friend, we are not jesting about you," said Constance, turning towards the latter. "Your children are superb, and nobody says the contrary."
Marianne gayly waved her hand, as if to reply that they were free to make fun of her if they pleased. But at this moment she perceived that Gervais, profiting by her inattention, was busy seeking his "paradise lost." And thereupon she set him on the ground: "Ah, no, no, monsieur!" she exclaimed. "I have told you that it is all over. Can't you see that people would laugh at us?"
Then for her and her husband came a delightful moment. He was looking at her with deep emotion. Her duty accomplished182, she was now returning to him, for she was spouse183 as well as mother. Never had he thought her so beautiful, possessed of so strong and so calm a beauty, radiant with the triumph of happy motherhood, as though indeed a spark of something divine had been imparted to her by that river of milk that had streamed from her bosom. A song of glory seemed to sound, glory to the source of life, glory to the true mother, to the one who nourishes, her travail184 o'er. For there is none other; the rest are imperfect and cowardly, responsible for incalculable disasters. And on seeing her thus, in that glory, amid her vigorous children, like the good goddess of Fruitfulness, Mathieu felt that he adored her. Divine passion swept by--the glow which makes the fields palpitate, which rolls on through the waters, and floats in the wind, begetting185 millions and millions of existences. And 'twas delightful the ecstasy186 into which they both sank, forgetfulness of all else, of all those others who were there. They saw them no longer; they felt but one desire, to say that they loved each other, and that the season had come when love blossoms afresh. His lips protruded187, she offered hers, and then they kissed.
"Oh! don't disturb yourselves!" cried Beauchene merrily. "Why, what is the matter with you?"
"Would you like us to move away?" added Seguin.
But while Valentine laughed wildly, and Constance put on a prudish188 air, Morange, in whose voice tears were again rising, spoke189 these words, fraught190 with supreme regret: "Ah! you are right!"
Astonished at what they had done, without intention of doing it, Mathieu and Marianne remained for a moment speechless, looking at one another in consternation191. And then they burst into a hearty192 laugh, gayly excusing themselves. To love! to love! to be able to love! Therein lies all health, all will, and all power.
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1
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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2
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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6
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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13
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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15
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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18
amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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21
fertilize
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| v.使受精，施肥于，使肥沃 | |
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sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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24
deafen
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| vt.震耳欲聋；使听不清楚 | |
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25
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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26
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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27
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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28
apprenticeship
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| n.学徒身份；学徒期 | |
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29
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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30
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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31
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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32
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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33
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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34
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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35
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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36
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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38
babble
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| v.含糊不清地说，胡言乱语地说，儿语 | |
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39
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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40
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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41
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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42
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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43
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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44
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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45
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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46
rhythmical
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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47
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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48
Fertilized
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| v.施肥( fertilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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50
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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51
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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52
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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53
rime
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| n.白霜；v.使蒙霜 | |
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54
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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55
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
somnolent
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| adj.想睡的，催眠的；adv.瞌睡地；昏昏欲睡地；使人瞌睡地 | |
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57
larks
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| n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
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58
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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59
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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60
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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61
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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62
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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63
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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64
fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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65
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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66
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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68
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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70
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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72
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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75
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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76
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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77
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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78
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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79
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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82
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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84
attenuate
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| v.使变小，使减弱 | |
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rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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86
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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87
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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88
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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89
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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91
saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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93
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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glorify
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| vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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98
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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99
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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100
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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101
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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102
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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103
sprouting
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| v.发芽( sprout的现在分词 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出 | |
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104
sprout
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| n.芽，萌芽；vt.使发芽，摘去芽；vi.长芽，抽条 | |
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105
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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106
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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107
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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108
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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109
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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111
chirping
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
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112
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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113
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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114
trickle
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| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
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115
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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116
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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117
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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118
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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119
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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120
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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121
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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122
germinate
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| v.发芽；发生；发展 | |
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123
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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124
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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125
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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126
bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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127
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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128
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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129
miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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130
derided
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| v.取笑，嘲笑( deride的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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132
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
primroses
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| n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果） | |
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134
mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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135
surmount
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| vt.克服；置于…顶上 | |
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136
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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137
ripened
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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138
dolorous
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| adj.悲伤的；忧愁的 | |
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139
prostration
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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140
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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141
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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142
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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143
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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144
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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145
bespeaking
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| v.预定( bespeak的现在分词 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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146
kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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147
solidarity
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| n.团结；休戚相关 | |
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148
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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149
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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151
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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152
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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153
abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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154
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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155
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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156
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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157
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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158
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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159
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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160
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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161
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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162
toddling
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| v.（幼儿等）东倒西歪地走( toddle的现在分词 )；蹒跚行走；溜达；散步 | |
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163
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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164
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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165
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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166
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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167
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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168
precocious
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| adj.早熟的；较早显出的 | |
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169
baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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170
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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171
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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172
anarchy
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| n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序 | |
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173
abdicate
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| v.让位，辞职，放弃 | |
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174
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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175
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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176
clearance
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| n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理 | |
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177
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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178
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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179
romping
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| adj.嬉戏喧闹的，乱蹦乱闹的v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的现在分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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180
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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181
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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182
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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183
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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184
travail
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| n.阵痛；努力 | |
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185
begetting
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| v.为…之生父( beget的现在分词 )；产生，引起 | |
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186
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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187
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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188
prudish
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| adj.装淑女样子的，装规矩的，过分规矩的；adv.过分拘谨地 | |
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189
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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190
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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191
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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192
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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