What more
does one demand for flowers or for the onion with green top in the
spring? The couch of madame, was it not soft? Yes? It is from
fowls of this very valley. That scene from the window there, is it
not beautiful? Oh, very well! Others may possess in greater
abundance than we, but as for myself, my business of the cooperage
prospers,--behold my excellent wife Jeanne, yonder,--and this
daughter of ours! What more could human being ask?"
Time and again, Josephine found herself repeating this same
question,--What more could be asked than this? What more did the
great world offer? It had not offered her, long used to luxury, so
much as this. To Hector at this moment she made evasive answer.
"I could willingly tarry with you always, Hector," said she, "if
that were right."
"Right?" demanded Hector, swelling out his chest, "Why is it not
right?" He doubled up a mighty arm to show where the muscles rose
upon it. "See, I am strong! What is one more mouth to feed--could
it even come to that for one of madame's wealth? Madame but jests.
Pages:
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434