Mother Bunch, till now, had stood discreetly apart, witnessing from a distance the scene which completely engrossed Agricola and his mother. But she now drew near timidly, thinking she might be useful; for Frances changed color more and more.
“Come, courage, mother,” said the blacksmith; “now the shock is over, you have only to enjoy the pleasure of seeing my father.”
“My poor man! after eighteen years’ absence. Oh, I cannot believe it,” said Frances, bursting into tears. “Is it true? Is it, indeed, true?”
“So true, that if you will promise me to keep as calm as you can, I will tell you when you may see him.”
“Soon—may I not?”
“Yes; soon.”
“But when will he arrive?”
“He may arrive any minute—to-morrow—perhaps to-day.”
“To-day!”
“Yes, mother! Well, I must tell you all—he has arrived.”