“And those who have the power, have neither the knowledge nor the will.”
“But how does M. Hardy find any advantage in the good he does for you?”
“I will explain that presently, mademoiselle.”
“Oh, what a nice, sweet smell of fruit!” said Angela, suddenly.
“Our common fruit-store is close at hand. I wager we shall find there some of the little birds from the dormitory—not occupied in picking and stealing, but hard at work.”
Opening a door, Agricola led Angela into a large room, furnished with shelves, on which the winter fruits were arranged in order. A number of children, from seven to eight years old, neatly and warmly clad, and glowing with health, exerted themselves cheerfully, under the superintendence of a woman, in separating and sorting the spoiled fruit.
“You see,” said Agricola, “wherever it is possible, we make use of the children. These occupations are amusements for them, answering to the need of movement and activity natural to their age; and, in this way, we can employ the grown girls and the women to much better advantage.”
“True, M. Agricola; how well it is all arranged.”
“And if you saw what services the urchins in the kitchen render! Directed by one or two women, they do the work of eight or ten servants.”
“In fact,” said Angela, smiling, “at their age, we like so much to play at cooking dinner. They must be delighted.”