thus he remarked to Christophe one evening: 'Bon
soir, mon Jean-Jean. What about a small transfer
from the bench to the stables? How does it strike

¥)u? But no matter, for I have already arranged it.
o-morrow you shall come and read psalms to the
mules—-unless you think they would prefer a concert?'
Then he chuckled, and turning, strutted away before
Christophe had even had time to thank him.

So now Christophe might serve the creatures that
served, and this he did right well because he loved
them. And of him it was very soon being said that if
he so wished he could ride the devil, or drive him in
double harness with Saint Michael — for the creatures
he loved grew in courtesy, as though they possessed
their fair portion of reason. If the men must sometimes
call him: 'Graine d'oie,' they respected his excellent
seat on a horse and his light, efficient hands on the
bridle; but in any case he could find in the beasts the
comradeship that his fellows denied him.

And because he seemed more content when they
met, Jan rejoiced that Christophe should work in the
stables. He thought: cThat was only a passing mood —
no doubt the life seemed a bit strange just at first.5
Then he thought: 'He has always loved animals; I
shall never forget how foolish he was about that old
verminous bitch, Mireio — in heaven he would have
had her, nothing less!5 And Jan smiled the large,
pitying smile of the young who are frequently wise
in all things save wisdom.

445