All being thus arranged, I placed on a wheelbarrow, which Bertrand lent me, all my carpentry tools, my compasses, my plane, and so on.
Two hours after, I arrived at M. Gerbaut’s. On my entrance, I found the whole family at supper.
“M. Gerbaut,” said I, “you offered me, if at any time I desired to work under a master, an apprenticeship—are you inclined to stand by your agreement?”
“Thanks, my boy, for having thought first of me. But sit down and eat; it will be time enough to think of work to-morrow.”
“Sit down by my side, my friend,” said Sophie, with a sweet smile, holding out her hand.
She drew her chair a little nearer to her father’s, and I accepted the place thus offered.
CHAPTER XXII.
MY NEW LIFE UNDER SOPHIE’S FATHER.
The changes made by death excepted, there is this strange and touching peculiarity of country life, that, whilst kingdoms are rent, hedgerows, and fields, and rustics, apparently remain ever the same.
Nearly a year had passed since I last set foot in Father Gerbaut’s house, and on entering I found everything the same as when I had last left it; the covers laid in the same places, on the same table, and for the same number of persons. Not only were material affairs the same, but the affections remained unaltered. Sophie had said, “Come, my brother,” and I came. She gave me her hand, and said, “Brother, you are welcome!”