"You have a guardian in Dr. Gilbert, whose son is your schoolfellow."
"I should rather think he was, and by the same token I have taken many floggings for him."
"Why not apply to his father, who, certainly, will not shake you off?"
"That would be all right if I knew where to address him; but your father may know as he farms some of his land."
"I know that he sends some of the rent to America and banks the other part here at a notary's."
"America is a far cry," moaned Pitou.
"What, would you start for America?" exclaimed the maid, almost frightened at his courage.
"Me? Sakes! No, never! France is good enough for me if I could get enough to eat and drink."
"Very well," said she, falling into silence which lasted some time.
The lad was plunged into a thoughtful mood which would have much puzzled Teacher Fortier the logical man. Starting from Obscurity, the reverie brightened and then grew confused again, like lightning.