“I learned all these details by talking with Jacqueline, when I went there to complain of the boy. The poor woman still loves him, she begged me with tears in her eyes to forgive him, and she said:
“‘Oh! if you knew how lovely his mother was, monsieur! I never saw her but once, and that was eight years ago, but if I should see her I should know her in a minute, her beauty made such an impression on me!’”
Thélénie could not control a nervous tremor; but she struggled to overcome it, saying:
“It seems to me that we have had quite enough of this nurse.”
“I beg pardon,” said Freluchon; “I propose that, before we leave the subject, we take up a collection for this excellent woman, who, although poor, would not abandon the child that was placed in her care.”
“Yes! yes! a collection for the nurse!”
“An excellent idea!”
“Do you agree with me, Baron Schtapelmerg?”
“Count me in; count me generous! Here’s the nurse’s health!”
“It isn’t a question of drinking only; everybody’s feeling in his pocket, you see.”