“The following year she met him near the school. playing marbles. She rushed up to him, threw her arms round him, and kissed him so passionately that he screamed, in fear. To quiet him, she gave him all her money. Three francs and twenty centimes!A real gold mine, at which he gazed with staring eyes.
“After this he allowed her to kiss him as much as she wished.
“During the next four years she put into his hands all her savings, which he pocketed conscientiously in exchange for kisses. At one time it was thirty sons, at another two francs. Again, she only had twelve sous. She wept with grief and shame, explaining brokenly that it had been a poor year. The next time she brought five francs, in one whole piece, which made her laugh with joy.
“She no longer thought of any one but the boy, and he watched for her with impatience; sometimes he would run to meet her. This made her heart thump with joy.
“Suddenly he disappeared. He had gone to boarding school. She found this out by careful investigation. Then she used great diplomacy to persuade her parents to change their route and pass by this way again during vacation. After a year of scheming she succeeded. She had not seen him for two years, and scarcely recognized him, he was so changed, had grown taller, better looking and was imposing in his uniform, with its brass buttons. He pretended not to see her, and passed by without a glance.
“She wept for two days and from that time loved and suffered unceasingly.
“Every year he came home and she passed him, not daring to lift her eyes. He never condescended2 to turn his head toward her. She loved him madly, hopelessly. She said to me:He is the only man whom I have ever seen. I don’t even know if another exists.’
“Her parents died. She continued their work.
“One day, on entering the village, where her heart always remained, she saw Chouquet coming out of his pharmacy with a young lady leaning on his arm. She was his wife.
“That night the chairmender threw herself into the river. A drunkard passing the spot pulled her out and took her to the drug store. Young Chouquet came down in his dressing gown to revive her. Without seeming to know who she was he undressed her and rubbed her; then he said to her, in a harsh voice: You are mad! People must not do stupid things like that.’
“His voice brought her to life again. He had spoken to her! She was happy for a long time. He refused remuneration for his trouble, although she insisted.
“All her life passed in this way. She worked, thinking always of him. She began to buy medicines at his pharmacy; this gave her a chance to talk to him and to see him closely. In this way, she was still able to give him money.
“As I said before, she died this spring. When she had closed her pathetic story she entreated me to take her earnings to the man she loved. She had worked only that she might leave him something to remind him of her after her death.
“I gave the priest fifty francs for her funeral expenses. The next morning I went to see the Chouquets. They were finishing breakfast, sitting opposite each other, fat and red, important and self-satisfied.
“They welcomed me and offered me some coffee, which I accepted. Then I began my story in a trembling voice, sure that they would be softened, even to tears.
“As soon as Chouquet understood that he had been loved by that vagabond!that chair-mender!that wanderer!’he swore with indignation as though his reputation had been sullied, the respect of decent people lost, his personal honor, something precious and dearer to him than life, gone.
“His exasperated wife kept repeating:That beggar!That beggar!’Seeming unable to find words suitable to the enormity.
“He stood up and began striding about. He muttered:Can you understand anything so horrible, doctor？ Oh, if I had only known it while she was alive, I should have had her thrown into prison. I promise you she would not have escaped.’
“I was dumfounded; I hardly knew what to think or say, but I had to finish my mission. She commissioned me,’I said, to give you her savings, which amount to three thousand five hundred francs. As what I have just told you seems to be very disagreeable, perhaps you would prefer to give this money to the poor.’
“They looked at me, that man and woman,’speechless with amazement. I took the few thousand francs from out of my pocket. Wretched-looking money from every country. Pennies and gold pieces all mixed together. Then I asked: What is your decision？’
“Madame Chouquet spoke first. Well, since it is the dying woman’s wish, it seems to me impossible to refuse it.’
“Her husband said, in a shamefaced manner: We could buy something for our children with it.’
“I answered dryly: As you wish.’
“He replied: Well, give it to us anyhow, since she commissioned you to do so; we will find a way to put it to some good purpose.’
“I gave them the money, bowed and left.
“The next day Chouquet came to me and said brusquely:
“That woman left her wagon here—what have you done with it？’
“Nothing; take it if you wish.’
“It’s just what I wanted,’he added, and walked off. I called him back and said:
“She also left her old horse and two dogs. Don’t you need them？’
“He stared at me surprised: Well, no! Really, what would I do with them？’