She had found in his pocket a silver thimble which she had lost three days ago. Then, stifled with sobs:
“That is not all! While I was giving him a scolding, he turned his back on me!”
And, ere the count and countess could have said a word:
“However, it is my own fault: pardon me!”
She had concealed from them the fact that the two orphans were the children of Touache, who was now in prison.
What was to be done?
If the count sent them away they would be lost, and his act of charity would be taken for a caprice.
M. Jeufroy was not surprised. Since man is corrupt, our natural duty is to punish him in order to improve him.
Bouvard protested. Leniency was better. But the count once more expatiated on the iron hand indispensable for children as well as for the people. These two children were full of vices—the little girl was untruthful, the boy brutish. This theft, after all, might have been excused, the impertinence never. Education should be the school of respect.
Therefore Sorel, the gamekeeper, would immediately administer to the youngster a good flogging.