§2
Spurred by Mere Melanie's enterprise, Madame
Roustan discovered a couple of rooms which could
well be spared for letting to boarders; what furnish-
ings were needed she purchased from Kahn who
eagerly did his best to advise her. Next came
Hermitte, the baker, at one time a man too lazy to
care very much about money, but now so impressed
by his balance at the bank — resultant upon selling
his land to Beauvais — that he wanted to see that fat
balance increase^ and was fast bidding fair to become
a miser.
He said to his wife: 'We have surely an attic that
we also can let next summer to an artist? It is foolish
the way we pamper our children, the four of them can
perfectly well sleep together during the season,
and that they shall do. I am not prepared to forgo a
fine profit.'
'Both the attics need whitewash/ said his wife
doubtfully, 'especially the small one. Shall I send
for Jouse? There is also a leak to the left of the roof.5
'I will do what is needed myself/ snapped Hermitte.
Madame Simon went bustling round to see Marie,
and her husband it seemed, did wish for assistance;
'Just a few small repairs to our top back room; the
woodwork is not very strong round the window,
and the door requires a new handle and lock; Jouse
will work for us cheaply, I know; after all, your Jouse
is Guillaume's godfather. And to tell you the truth
we have not much to spend, what with Guillaume's
college and now his wedding . . , Yes, in the spring
... a most charming girl, her father is a notary in
Marseille, but of course a wedding is always expensive.
Guillaume is coming to see you himself—ah, yes,
he has always loved Papa Jouse. However, what with
this thing and that, I said to my husband: "Why
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