"Why, yes, Madame Françoise. Everybody 's exceedingly well, thank God!"
"And Bernard? His business? Is it going along to suit him?"
"Oh! you know a man always has his little crosses in this life; however, I don't think he has any reason to complain. But now I think of it, you must be hungry. I'll go and send you something to eat."
He was about to ring, much more self-assured and at home than the old mother. But she checked him.
"No, no, I don't need anything. I still have some of my luncheon left."
She placed two figs and a crust of bread, taken from her basket, on the table, and continued to talk as she ate:
"And what about your affairs, little one? It seems to me you've spruced up mightily since the last time you came to the Bourg. What linen, what clothes! What department are you in?"
"I am professor of massage," said Aristide gravely.
"You a professor!" she exclaimed, with respectful amazement; but she dared not ask him what he taught, and Cabassu, somewhat embarrassed by her questions, hastened to change the subject.
"Suppose I go and fetch the children? Hasn't any one told them their grandmother was here?"