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The peasants had set the litter on the grass and were stretching their arms, while Brother Archangias prepared the sprinkler. 'Come here, Voriau! called Fortune. The big black dog, who had gone to sniff at the coffin, came back sulkily. 'Why has the dog been brought? exclaimed Rosalie. 'Oh! he followed us, said Lisa, smiling quietly.
'What's the good of the old man putting himself out about it? We are married, all the same, now, added Rosalie. Then they exchanged a smile across the little coffin while Lisa and La Rousse nudged each other with their elbows. But afterwards they all became very serious again. Fortune picked up a clod of earth to throw at Voriau, who was now prowling about amongst the old tombstones.
He recognised also the pair in the churchyard, that mischievous Vincent and that bold hussy Catherine, who were catching big grasshoppers amongst the tombstones. Yes, and they had Voriau, the black dog, with them, helping them and ferreting about in the dry grass, and sniffing at every crack in the old stones.
On the contrary, for God prefers the lowly. But the Artauds live like beasts! They are like their dogs, they never attend mass, and make a mock of the commandments of God and of the Church. They think of nothing but their plots of lands, so sweet they are on them! Voriau, his tail wagging, kept stopping and moving on again as soon as he saw that they still followed him.
At last, he broke out: 'But if you asked me for a sack of corn, you would give me money, wouldn't you? So why do you want me to let my daughter go for nothing? Much discomfited, Abbe Mouret left him. As he went down the path he saw Rosalie rolling about under an olive tree with Voriau, who was licking her face. With her arms whirling, she kept on repeating: 'You tickle me, you big stupid.
Meantime, while Voriau led the way before them along the dusty road, Brother Archangias was angrily saying to the priest: 'Let be! Monsieur le Cure, they're spawn of damnation, those toads are! They ought to have their backs broken, to make them pleasing to God. They grow up in irreligion, like their fathers. Fifteen years have I been here, and not one Christian have I been able to turn out.
Voriau now ran on in front, and suddenly, at a turn in the road, he bolted across the fields. The priest then struck into a small path leading up a low hill. He was now at Les Olivettes, the most fertile spot in the neighbourhood, where the mayor of the commune, Artaud, otherwise Bambousse, owned several fields of corn, olive plantations, and vines.
He's sure to know where his master is. And he clapped his hands and called: 'Hie! Voriau! hie! The big black dog paused a moment, wagging his tail, and seeking to read the urchin's eyes. Then, barking joyfully, he set off down the slope to the village. Abbe Mouret and Brother Archangias followed him, chatting.
What a splendid riddance if all girls were strangled at their birth! His loathing, his hatred of woman made him swear like a carter. Abbe Mouret, who had been listening to him with unmoved countenance, smiled at last at his rabid utterances. He called Voriau, who had strayed into a field close by.
Abbe Mouret smiled, but made no reply. Addressing Vincent, who was romping with the dog: 'I say, my boy, he asked, 'do you know where old Bambousse is at work this morning? The lad glanced towards the horizon. 'He must be at his Olivettes field now, he answered, pointing towards the left. 'But Voriau will show your reverence the way.
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