"Yes, sir," answered the boy, regarding Croustillac with surprise.
"This is more and more strange," said Croustillac, reflecting.
"Has he been long in France?"
"He has always been here, sir."
"Come, I was mad; decidedly, I was mad. Has your father ever been a soldier, my children?"
Angela and James looked at each other with astonishment.
The young boy answered: "No, sir, he has always been a farmer."
At this moment the door which communicated with the abbey opened and one of the lay brothers appeared at the top of the stairway.
This brother was the type of an ignoble monk, gross and sensual. He made a sign to the children, who tremblingly approached.
"Come here, little one," said he to the girl.