unsupported testimony left the matter rather doubtful. But the whole
brood looked so healthful and fresh in the bright sunshine that their
father could not resist taking them in his arms, and kissing them here
and there, wherever his lips lighted, a final game which sent them into
perfect rapture amid a fresh explosion of laughter and shouts.

"Oh! what fun! what fun!"

"All the same," Marianne exclaimed, as she succeeded in freeing herself
somewhat from the embraces of the children, "all the same, you know, I
want to get up. I mustn't idle, for it does me no good. And besides, you
little ones need to be washed and dressed."

They dressed in front of the big blazing fire; and it was nearly ten
o'clock when they at last went down into the dining-room, where the
earthenware stove was roaring, while the warm breakfast milk steamed upon
the table. The ground floor of the pavilion comprised a dining-room and a
drawing-room on the right of the hall, and a kitchen and a study on the
left. The dining-room, like the principal bedchamber, overlooked the Rue
de la Federation, and was filled every morning with cheerfulness by the
rising sun.

The children were already at table, with their noses in their cups, when
a ring at the street door was heard. And it was Dr. Boutan who came in.
His arrival brought a renewal of noisy mirth, for the youngsters were
fond of his round, good-natured face. He had attended them all at their
births, and treated them like an old friend, with whom familiarity is
allowable. And so they were already thrusting back their chairs to dart
towards the doctor, when a remark from their mother restrained them.