“Yes, monsieur, I’ve got Papa Calleux,” Coco replied, looking up at Bertrand.
“What does Papa Calleux do?”
“He works in the fields.”
“He’s a drunkard,” Denise whispered to Bertrand.
“The devil! that’s a villainous fault,” the latter replied, putting his glass to his lips. “A man must drink—it’s a necessity—but he should be able to govern his thirst, and above all things, never lose his wits.—But, by the way, seeing this little fellow reminds me that he’s the one my master’s gone to see; when he left me, he said: ‘I’m going to the child’s cabin.’”
“Oh dear! he won’t find anybody there,” said Denise. “And you never told us! We must go to meet him. I supposed he was at Madame Destival’s.—Come, Coco, come; we are going to find your kind friend—the one you love so much.”
“The one you talk to me about every day, Denise?” asked the child.
“Yes, your benefactor.—Are you coming with us, Monsieur Bertrand?”
“Faith, Mamzelle Denise, I’m very comfortable here; and if you don’t need me——”
“No, no; my aunt will keep you company.—Come, Coco, let’s make haste to look for your kind friend.”