The two children lowered their eyes, and made no reply. After a second, François said, with a resolute air, "Nicholas gave them to us. We do not know where they came from, do we, Amandine?"
"No, no, brother," replied Amandine, stammering, and turning very red, not daring to look Martial in the face.
"Don't tell lies," said Martial, harshly.
"We don't tell lies," replied François, doggedly.
"Amandine, my child, tell the truth," said Martial, mildly.
"Well, then, to tell the whole truth," replied Amandine, timidly, "these fine handkerchiefs came out of a box of things that Nicholas brought in this evening in his boat."
"And which he had stolen?"
"I think so, brother,—out of a barge."
"So then, François, you lie?" said Martial.
The boy bent down his head, but made no reply.