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Updated: June 1, 2025
Giuseppe, though younger than Ascanie, was a greater proficient on the instrument, and went through his task without a single mistake. "Good!" said Poluche; "if you get on like that, you will soon be fit to go out. You would like that, I suppose?" "Yes," replied the delighted boy, "and I should like to bring in a few coppers too." But the Professor did not waste too much time in idle converse.
"Who presumes to be unhappy in this establishment?" "It is two of the lads that I have put on half rations," returned Poluche. "I'll make them learn somehow or " A dark frown on the master's face arrested his further speech. "What do I hear?" roared Perpignan. "Do you dare, under my roof, to deprive those poor children of an ounce of food?
As he spoke he drew his bow across his instrument, while the little Savoyard did his best to imitate him, and in a squeaking voice, in nasal tone, he sang: "Ah! great heavens, how fine and grand Is the palace!" "You young rascal!" cried Poluche. "Have I not bid you fifty times that at the word 'palace' you are to place your bow on the fourth chalkmark and draw it across? Begin again."
In the middle of the room was a man, tall and erect as a dart, with flat, ugly features and lank, greasy hair hanging down on his shoulders. He, too, had a violin, and was evidently giving the children a lesson. Tantaine at once guessed that this was Professor Poluche. "Listen," said he; "here, you Ascanie, play the chorus from the Chateau de Marguerite."
Once again the boy commenced, but Poluche stopped him. "I believe, you young villain, that you are doing it on purpose. Now, go through the whole chorus again; and if you do not do it right, look out for squalls." Poor Ascanie was so muddled that he forgot all his instructions.
Poluche breathed more freely. "Take a chair, sir," said he, offering the only one in the room. "My master will soon be here." But Daddy Tantaine refused the offer, saying that he did not wish to intrude, but would wait until the lesson was over. "I have nearly finished," remarked Poluche; "it is almost time to let these scamps have their soup."
The hope was a vain one, for the equitable Poluche went to the head of the stairs and called out in a loud voice, "Mother Butor, you will give no soup to Monte and put Ravillet on half allowance." Tantaine was much interested, for the scene was an entirely new one. The professor raised his eyes to heaven.
I am drilling them now in the Marguerite, and in a little time you will have nothing else in the streets." Poluche was proceeding to give Tantaine some further information, when a step was heard upon the stairs, and the professor remarked, "Here is the master; he never comes up here, because he is afraid of the stairs. You had better go down to him."
"Who do you want here?" growled she. "Your master." "He has not yet arrived, and may not come at all, for it is not his day; but you can see Poluche." "And who may he be?" "He is the professor," answered the hag contemptuously. "And where is he?" "In the music-room." Tantaine went to the stairs, which were so dingy and dilapidated as to make an ascent a work of danger and difficulty.
Tantaine, with all humility, confessed his ignorance of these matters. "Well," said the professor, "the only difference between those old women and myself is, that they teach birds and I boys; and I know which I had rather do." Tantaine pointed to the whip. "And how about this?" asked he. Poluche shrugged his shoulders. "Put yourself in my place for a little while," remarked he.
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