It is you who are the egoist, godfather!"
Francois started as if to check his daughter, but she continued, "When
mama was so sick, six years ago, papa sent me with Marguerite, our
maid, to take a letter to you. I did so want to read that letter, it
must have been so splendid.... You answered...."
Adhemar tried to get in a word. Esperance in exasperation tapped the
floor with her foot and rushed on, "You answered, 'Little one, you
must tell your papa that I will give him all the advice he wants to
help him out of this trouble, but it is a principle of mine never to
lend money, above all to my good friends, for that always leads to a
quarrel.' Then I left you and went to my Uncle Renaud, who gave me a
great deal more even than we needed for mama."
Big Renaud looked hot and uncomfortable. His son pressed his hand so
affectionately under the table that the good man's eyes grew wet.
"Ever since then, godfather, I have not cared for you any more."
The atmosphere of the little room seemed suddenly to congeal. The
silence was intense. Adhemar himself remained thunderstruck in his
chair, his tongue dry, his thoughts chaotic, unable to form a reply to
the child's virulent attack. For the sake of breaking up this general
paralysis, Maurice Renaud finally suggested that they should vote upon
the decision to be given to his brave little cousin.
They gathered together around the table and began to talk in low
tones.
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