The
major assented and examined him. At all events his virtuous conduct
had not made him any thinner; he still looked bloated; his eyes were
bleared, and his mouth was heavy. He seemed to be half asleep as he
repeated mechanically: "Home life! There's nothing like home life,
nothing in the world!"
"No doubt," said the major; "still, one mustn't exaggerate--take a
little exercise and come to the cafe now and then."
"To the cafe, why?" asked Burle. "Do I lack anything here? No, no, I
remain at home."
When Charles had laid his books aside Laguitte was surprised to see a
maid come in to lay the cloth.
"So you keep a servant now," he remarked to Mme Burle.
"I had to get one," she answered with a sigh. "My legs are not what they
used to be, and the household was going to rack and ruin. Fortunately
Cabrol let me have his daughter. You know old Cabrol, who sweeps the
market? He did not know what to do with Rose--I am teaching her how to
work."
Just then the girl left the room.
"How old is she?" asked the major.
"Barely seventeen. She is stupid and dirty, but I only give her ten
francs a month, and she eats nothing but soup."
When Rose returned with an armful of plates Laguitte, though he did not
care about women, began to scrutinize her and was amazed at seeing so
ugly a creature.
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