dran turned his attention to Ghristophe He found
him swimming against the current, distractedly
trying to find his brother, and so dazed and spent
that he did not realize that Loup had already been
carried to safety.
'Here, catch hold of my hand. I am still in my
depth and can tow you along — look sharp!5 ordered
Goundran.
* # #
A nice party it was, and no mistake, that arrived
all dripping at the Benedit's house; for even Jan was
wet to the skin, having braved the sea to above his
waist in his anguish at the thought that Christophe
was drowning. Goundran was carrying le tout petit
Loup who by now was able to wail quite loudly; and
after him walked the culprits side by side, both
extremely abashed, down-hearted, and silent.
'Ma Santo-Vierge! What has happened?' cried
Marie, €Ai! las, mon tout petit Loup — he is dead!'
And she promptly burst into heart-broken tears.
'The dead do not wail as he wails,3 consoled Goun-
dran.
Then out of the shop dashed Jouse and Anfos, to be
followed by Mireio who was barking hoarsely. And
Mireio leapt up and licked Christophe's face, while
Anfos said:
'God be praised, little master . . . Oh, may God be
praised that I see you are safe!'
But Jouse looked sternly at the two older boys, the
while he begged Goundran for an explanation.
So Goundran began to explain the misfortune; but
now there came running up Madame Roustan, who
was grown so stout that she panted for breath and was
forced to cling to the arm of her brother. Then she
wished to be informed who had tried to drown Jan>
and why Jouse was so criminally weak with his
children.
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