They walked along side by side upon the moist, soft ground of the large
garden, under the leafless trees, where hung a slight penetrating mist
which made them shiver under their wraps.

"Amedee," said she, looking at the young man with a serious gentleness,
"I have known you from a child, and I am the elder. I am twenty-two;
that makes me almost an old maid, Amedee, and gives me the right to scold
you a little. You lack confidence in life, my friend, and it is wrong at
your age. Do you think I do not see that my father has aged very much,
that his eyesight fails, that we are much more cramped in circumstances
in the house than formerly? Are we any the more sad? Mamma makes fewer
little dishes and I teach in Paris, that is all. We live nearly the same
as before, and our dear Maria--she is the pet of us all, the joy and
pride of the house-well, our Maria, all the same, has from time to time a
new frock or a pretty hat. I have no experience, but it seems to me that
in order to feel really unhappy I must have nobody to love--that is the
only privation worth the trouble of noticing. Do you know that I have
just had one of the greatest pleasures of my life? I noticed that papa
did not smoke as much as usual, in order to be economical, poor man!
Fortunately I found a new pupil at Batignolles, and as soon as I had the
first month's pay in my pocket I bought a large package of tobacco and
put it beside his work. One must never complain so long as one is
fortunate enough to keep those one loves. I know the secret grief that
troubles you regarding your father; but think what he has suffered, that
he loves you, that you are his only consolation. And when you have
gloomy thoughts, come and see your old friends, Amedee. They will try to
warm your heart at the fireside of their friendship, and to give you some
of their courage, the courage of poor people which is composed of a
little indifference and a little resignation."