Chapter 6 〇Six Little Pierre
Xiaoqing is a young, good-looking and strong mare.She carried the double load effortlessly, with ears down and bit, like a true pompous and restless mare.When passing by the long pasture, it saw its mother, who was called Laoqing, just like her name was Xiaoqing, and it whistled to say goodbye.The old green horse approached the fence, the anti-runners on its hooves jingled, it wanted to run along the edge of the pasture, and chase its daughter; when it saw her galloping away, it also neighed, thoughtfully, Worried, nose upturned, mouth full of grass, no desire to eat.
This poor animal always knows its heart, Germain wanted to relieve little Marie's sorrows, saying this reminded me of my little Pierre who had never kissed me before leaving.The bad boy is not at home!Last night he made me promise to take him away, and wept in bed for an hour.This morning, he tried his best to convince me again.oh!How clever he is, how good at acting like a baby!When he saw that it could not be done, the gentleman became annoyed: he ran off into the field, and was not seen again for the better part of the day.
I, I saw him, said little Mary, trying to hold back tears, that he and the Sulla children had gone off to the regeneration forest, and I reckoned he had been away from home for a long time, because he was very hungry and was eating. Wild plums and mulberries, I gave him my bread for dessert, and he said to me: Thank you, dear Mary, when you come to our house, I will give you pancakes.You are a lovely child, Germain!
Yes, he is lovely, went on the Farmer, and I don't know what else I can't do for him!If it weren't for his grandmother who was more stable than me, I saw him crying so sadly, his poor heart would be broken, I couldn't help but take him away.
So why don't you take him away, Germain?He will not hinder you at all; as long as you obey him, he is very sensible!
Where I was going, it seemed like he went to get in the way.At least that's what old Maurice meant and I, I'm thinking the opposite, should see how he's received, such a lovely boy can only be liked but people say don't let it be seen in the first place Family drag I don't know why I tell you these things, little Mary; you don't understand at all.
On the contrary, Germain; I know you are going on a blind date; my mother told me, and enjoined me not to tell anyone, either at home or where I was going, and you may rest assured: I will not say a word can speak.
It's good you're doing it, because it's not a word yet; maybe I don't like that woman.
One should hope she likes it, Germain.Why do you dislike her?
Who knows?I have three kids, and that's a burden for a woman who isn't their mother.
True, but your child is different from other children.
Do you think so?
They were as pretty as cherubs, and they were so well educated, and you couldn't see cuter kids.
Sylvan was not very easygoing.
He is still young!How can he not be naughty, but he is so smart!
It was true that he was clever, and what a daring one!He was afraid of neither cows nor bulls, and if he had his way, he would have climbed on horseback with his brother.
If I were in your place, I'd take the older boy.You have such a beautiful child, you are sure to make people fall in love with you immediately!
Yes, if the woman likes children; but what if she doesn't?
Is there any woman who doesn't like children?
Not much, I thought; but there is, and that's what worries me.
So you don't know anything about this woman?
No more than you, I'm worried that after seeing her, I still don't understand her well.I'm not a suspicious person.I believe what other people say sweetly to me: I have regretted it more than once, because words are not deeds.
I heard that this is a very decent woman.
Who said that?It's Papa Morris!
Yes, it's your father-in-law.
That was great, but he didn't know her either.
You will see her in a moment, but you must look carefully, and I hope you are not mistaken, Germain.
Well, little Marie, I'd be glad if you could come into that house for a while before you go straight to Olmo, you're careful, you've always been clever, and you've noticed everything.If you see something that makes you think twice, you can tell me quietly.
oh!No, Germain, I can't do it!I'm afraid I'm mistaken; besides, if I say a word that makes you dissatisfied with this marriage, your parents-in-law will complain about me. I have enough troubles like this, even if I don't give my poor A good mother can cause trouble.
While they were chatting like this, Xiaoqing pricked up her ears, asked aside, then turned back, and approached the bushes, where something had startled it just now, and now it began to recognize it.Germain cast a glance towards the bushes, and saw, in a ditch under the thick, still green branches of an oak, what he thought was a lamb.
It was a stray animal, he said, or dead because it was motionless.Maybe someone is looking for it and should check it out!
It is not an animal, cried little Marie, it is a sleeping child, your little Pierre.
oops!Germain jumped off his horse and said, "Look, here is the little rascal, so far from home, in a ditch, maybe the snake will come and bite him!"
He picked up the child, and the child opened his eyes, smiled at him, put his arms around his neck and said to him:
My little daddy, you have to take me with you!
OK!It's that old tune again!What are you doing here, you bad boy?
I was waiting for my little dad to pass by, the child said, I watched the road, and fell asleep after watching it.
If I don't see you when I pass by, you'll have to stay out all night, and the wolves will eat you.
oh!I guessed you'd see me!Little Pierre answered confidently.
Then, my Pierre, kiss me now, say good-bye, and go home, if you don't want your family to wait for you for supper.
Then you don't want to take me there!cried the little one, and began to rub his eyes, to show that he was about to cry.
You understand that grandpa and grandma don't want you to go.Germain said, like a person who has no confidence in his own authority, using the authority of his old parents-in-law as a shield.
But the child would not listen to anything.He really began to cry, and muttered that if his father had taken little Mary, he could take him too.His father retorted that he had to pass through a big forest, where there were many ferocious beasts that wanted to eat children, and that the little green horse refused to carry three people on his back, as he said when he set off; he also said that there was no bed for children where he was going, There is no dinner for the kids either.All these good reasons could not convince little Pierre at all; he lay down and rolled on the grass, crying that his father did not love him any more, and that he would not come home day or night unless he was taken away.
Germain's father's heart was as tender and tender as a woman's.The death of his wife, the need to take care of his children alone, and the thought that these poor motherless children were in need of affection, all this had brought him into this state, and he was struggling violently, especially with himself. He blushed because of his weakness, and he tried his best to hide his discomfort from little Mary, so that his forehead was dripping with sweat, his eye circles were red, and he was about to cry.At last he wanted to lose his temper; but when he turned to little Marie, as if to prove her hardness of heart, he saw the good girl bursting into tears, and all his courage was at once lost, and he could not help himself. tears, though he was still berating and threatening.
Seriously, your heart is too hard.At last little Mary said to him that I could not bear such a heartbroken child.Come, Germain, take him.Your mare is used to carrying two adults and a child, and the proof is that your brother-in-law and sister-in-law are much heavier than I, and they always go to market on Saturdays with their children on the back of this fine beast. .You can let him ride in front of you. Besides, I would rather walk alone than let this little guy be troubled.
That is quite possible, replied Germain, wishing to be convinced that the little green horse was strong enough to carry two more people, if there was room in its back.But how do we take care of this child on the road?He will be cold and hungry, and who will take care of him to sleep, to wash, to dress, tonight and tomorrow?I dared not entrust this trouble to a woman whom I did not know well, for she would, of course, think that I was taking her too lightly at first.
You'll know what she's like right away, Germain, take my word for it, from her eagerness or boredom; besides, if she hates your Pierre, I'll take care of him.I'll go to her house and dress him, and tomorrow I'll take him into the field.I play with him all day long and take good care of him so that he has everything he needs.
He will give you trouble, my poor girl!He'll get in your way, all day is too long!
On the contrary, it would make me happy, he would keep me company, and I wouldn't feel bored on my first day in a strange place.I would imagine myself still at home.
Seeing little Mary on his side, the boy took hold of little Mary by her skirt, so tight that it hurt him to let him go.When he saw that his father had given in, he took Mary's hand in his own little sunburned hands, kissed her for joy, and, with the impatience of children in their desires, took her Drag it up to the mare.
Come, come, said the girl, picking him up, the poor heart is beating like a bird, let's try to calm it down.Tell me when you feel cold after dark, my Pierre, and I will wrap you in my cloak.Kiss your little papa and ask him to forgive you for your naughtiness.Tell him never again, never again!Do you hear me?
Yes, yes, I just want to follow his lead, right?Germain said, wiping away the little guy's tears with a handkerchief, ah!Mary, you've spoiled the naughty one for me!You are a very kind girl, little Mary.I don't know why you didn't come to my house last St. John's to herd the sheep.You can take care of my children, and I'd rather have you take care of them for a good price than go to another woman; perhaps she thinks it a great favor not to dislike my children.
Don't look at things on the bad side like this, answered little Marie, pulling on the bridle while Germain placed his sons in front of the broad goat-skin saddle, if your wife doesn't like them , you can hire me next year, don't worry, I'll make them happy and care about nothing else.