"Tanné," he whimpered. "Where is he, Tanné?"
"Monsieur Tanrade will come," returned the curé, "if you go to sleep like a brave little man."
"Tanné," repeated the child and closed his eyes obediently.
A cock crowed in a distant yard, awakening a sleek cat who emerged from beneath the bed, yawned, stretched her claws, and walked out of the narrow doorway into the misty lane.
The curé rose stiffly, went over to the figure in the corner and shook it. Tranchard started up out of a sound sleep.
"Tell madame when she arrives that I have gone for Doctor Thévenet. I shall return before night."
"I won't forget," grumbled Tranchard.
"I have left instructions for madame beside the candle. See that you keep the kettle boiling for the poultices."
The fisherman nodded. "Eh ben! How is it with the kid?" he inquired. "He does not take after his mother. Parbleu! She was as strong as a horse, my woman."