Roustan: cH6u,5 he shouted at her dignified back,
'Madame has decked herself like a peacock; and yet I
have heard it said that fine feathers do not necessarily
make a fine bird; and, moreover, that vanity comes
from the devil!' Then he hoicked and spat recklessly
into the road— he was in a diabolical mood, that
morning.
They continued a slow promenade to the church,
for Madame Roustan, who was setting the pace, had
decided that there was no need to hurry. And now
down the narrow and tortuous side-streets came girls
in long billowing white tulle veils, walking carefully
to spare their expensive suede shoes, and occasionally
patting their wreaths of white roses. Christophe
noticed a couple of boys that he knew, class-mates
who marched stiffly beside their parents; but by
common consent they passed without a word, too
embarrassed and shy to exchange a greeting. Then
came more boys, all wearing white flottant ties and
white sleeve-ribbons in accordance with custom;
then more girls, until the whole town seemed alive
with these solemn and rather touching young creatures.
While away in the open belfry of Saint Loup the bells
were playing a very old hymn somewhat stiffly
because they themselves were so old: cjesus Christ,
the Shepherd, the Lamb, and the Victim. . , .*
Jouse was thinking as he walked by his son: CI have
surely much cause to be humble towards God this
day;5 for the plaintive lilt of the tune had driven the
irritable thoughts from his mind, so that he no longer
observed Madame Roustan or Jan in his beautifully
cut Paris suit, but only the boy who was close at his
side. clt is true,5 he mused, CI have much cause to be
humble and yet proud when I think of my firstborn
offspring; yes, and of God, who is also a Father, and
of Mary the immaculate Mother of God, and of
Joseph my very dear patron saint who became the
223