"Well, you haven't heard, I think, that André said he saw a big flock of plover this morning. Take your gun, and we will go over to Sablonnière heath. You will enjoy it and so shall I. You are such a good shot, it is a pleasure to see you handle a gun."
"I don't take any pleasure in hunting now."
"Yet you used to be so fond of it."
"I don't care for anything now," replied Frederick, almost involuntarily, in a tone of intense bitterness.
Again the young mother felt the tears spring to her eyes, and Frederick, seeing his mother's distress, exclaimed:
"I love you always, mother, you know that."
"Oh, yes, I know that, but you have no idea how despondently you said, 'I don't care for anything now.'"
Then trying to smile in order to cheer her son, Marie added:
"Really, I can't imagine what is the matter with me to-day. I seem to be continually saying and doing the wrong thing, and here you are crying again, my dear child."
"Never mind, mother, never mind. It is a long time since I have cried, and I really believe it will do me good."