“Within certain limits,” observed Pécuchet.
Girbal interposed. “The paternal authority is indispensable.”
“But if the father is an idiot?”
“No matter,” said the captain; “his power is none the less absolute.”
“In the interests of the children,” added Coulon.
According to Bouvard and Pécuchet, they owed nothing to the authors of their being; and the parents, on the other hand, owed them food, education, forethought—in fact, everything.
Their good neighbours protested against this opinion as immoral. Placquevent was hurt by it as if it were an insult.
“For all that, they are a nice lot that you collect on the high-roads. They will go far. Take care!”
“Care of what?” said Pécuchet sourly.
“Oh! I am not afraid of you.”