and plates out of the sideboard, and he said: "I think that place at
Maître Omont's ought to be a good one, as he is a widower and his
daughter-in-law does not like him. He is all alone and has money. I
think it would be a good thing to send Adelaide there."

His wife put the black saucepan onto the table, took the lid off, and
while the steam, which smelt strongly of cabbage, rose into the air she
reflected, and he presently continued: "He has got some money, that is
certain, but any one going there ought to be very sharp, and Adelaide is
not that at all." And his wife replied: "I might go and see, all the
same," and turning to her daughter, a strapping, silly looking girl with
yellow hair and fat red cheeks like apples, she said: "Do you hear, you
great silly? You are to go to Maître Omont's and offer yourself as his
servant, and you will do whatever he tells you."

The girl began to laugh in a foolish manner, without replying, and then
all the three began their dinner. In ten minutes, the father continued:
"Listen to me, girl, and try not to make a mistake about what I am going
to say to you ..." And slowly and minutely he laid down for her her line
of conduct, anticipating the minutest details, and preparing her for the
conquest of an old widower who was on unfriendly terms with his family.
The mother ceased eating to listen to him, and she sat there, with her
fork in her hand, looking at her husband and her daughter by turns, and
following every word with concentrated and silent attention, while
Adelaide remained listless, docile and stupid, with vague and wandering
eyes.

As soon as their meal was over, her mother made her put her cap on, and
they both started off to see Monsieur Césaire Omont. He lived in a small
brick house adjoining his tenants' cottages, for he had retired, and was