“True; because it was made when bread was cheap; and an organ made to-day would be made when bread is very dear. I gave the organ-maker money enough to buy twelve loaves; and now the same money would buy only six loaves.”
“And perhaps six loaves would not be enough for the people while they were making the organ?”
“Certainly not. They must have twelve; and so I should have to pay twice as much for another organ made to-day as you could sell yours for, supposing it as good as new.”
“But why is not there more bread, papa? I should like that there should be so much that I might give the people twenty-four loaves when I give the king my organ.”
“When that time comes, my dear, the people will not want to beg bread, and you shall have a better present to offer at court.—But, do you know, Julien, there is going to be less bread than ever, I am afraid.”
Marguerite drew her little son to her, and described to him the state of the peasantry round uncle Antoine’s vineyards; and how grandpapa’s olives were all blown down, and everything eatable destroyed, except what had hitherto been considered food for swine.
“One woman,” she continued, “offered a comfortable coat of her husband’s to several shivering people who would have liked it very much; but they could not give so much as a single handful of barley for it. There were some who would have given a whole field for a sack of wheat; but they could not get it.”
“One miserly person,” observed Charles, “happened to save a small stock of cabbages, of which he was willing to sell three. He was offered a blanket, and would not take it; and then a pretty crucifix; and then a clock——”
“But perhaps he did not want any of these things?”
“Neither could he be said to want what he took at last. When he found that the highest price was offered that he was likely to get, he accepted it; and it was a diamond pin, given by lady Alice de Thou to a destitute family.”