om Soher was now constantly on the watch to see if he might catch his uncle alone. He was soon satisfied on that account.
One evening, he saw Adèle come out of the farm-house. He hid himself and let her go by, then he went towards "Les Marches."
He walked straight in, and was not surprised to see his uncle busily engaged cleaning carrot seed.
Tom was in such a state of excitement and rage, that he hardly knew what he was saying.
"Good evening, uncle," he said, "busy?"
"Good evening, Tom," was the reply, with the addition: "Yes, you know the French proverb: 'Do not lose a single hour, since you are not certain of a minute.'"
"Quite right uncle; shall I help you?"
"No, thank you, now that you are here, we shall talk, and I'll do that job to-morrow."
The farmer fetched a mug of cider and placed it on the table between them. Tom was delighted.
"I am glad that you are here," quoth Mr. Rougeant. "It is not that I generally care for visitors, but you are always welcome. Besides, Adèle is gone and we shall pass the evening agreeably."