"She is too black. No, indeed, this is too much for me. It turns my blood."
"That may be, but it is only for the moment."
Then they made their way into the interior of the house, where the good woman was somewhat affected at the spectacle of the negress engaged in cooking. She at once proceeded to assist her, with petticoats tucked up, active in spite of her age.
The meal was an excellent one, very long, very enjoyable. When they had afterwards taken a turn together, Antoine said to his father:
"Well dad, what do you say to this?"
The peasant took care never to compromise himself.
"I have no opinion about it. Ask your mother."
So Antoine went back to his mother, and leading her to the end of the room, said:
"Well mother, what do you think of her?"
"My poor lad, she is really too black. If she were only a little less black, I would not go against you, but this is too much. One would think it was Satan!"