"It may be so, Gabrielle, but what of that?"
"You would save me if I fell in the river, would you not?"
"Gabrielle, you would not be so silly."
"Oh, I don't know. See me! One--two--three--away!" And Gabrielle was on the point of jumping into the stream, when Jean caught her, just in time.
"Little fool!" he said, pulling her up somewhat roughly and placing her in safety in the middle of the bridge. "Don't you know that it is dangerous, that place? See the deep pool and the big stones down there. It is not at all certain that I could have saved you. Never do that again. There now, don't cry. Run home to your mother, little one."
"You are rough, Jean, and cruel. Great beast! Leave me alone. I hate you." And Gabrielle turned away, weeping and sobbing.
"But, Gabrielle, what is the matter? What have I done? Poor little Gabrielle, do not cry. I am indeed a beast. Do not cry, Gabrielle."
But Gabrielle continued to cry, while Jean tried to console her in his stupid way. Finally she said, between her sobs:
"You are going away, Jean. You are going to college. You will be a priest."
"Well, and why not, little one?"