Then, addressing his son, he said, abruptly:
"Get the silver ladle from the buffet."
"It is useless, father," said Frederick, resolutely, seeing the anguish of his mother and wishing to turn his father's anger toward himself. "The large silver ladle is not in the house; neither is the rest of the silver."
"What?" asked Jacques, stupidly.
But, not believing his ears, he seized the plate at his side, looked at it, and convinced of the truth of his son's words, he remained a moment, besotted with amazement.
Frederick and his mother exchanged glances at this critical moment.
The young man, determined to bring his father's anger on himself alone, replied, resolutely:
"It was I, father; without telling my mother, I sold the silver for—"
"Monsieur," cried Marie, addressing Jacques, "do not believe Frederick; it was I, and I alone, who—ah, well, yes, it was I who sold the silver."
Notwithstanding his wife's confession, Jacques Bastien could not believe what he had heard, so preposterous, so impossible did the whole thing appear.