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Updated: June 28, 2025
"It is as thou sayest, my son," said Patoux confidently "Nobody knows which is the largest of them all, but whichever it may be, that largest of them all belongs to Our Lady and the angels." Henri looked at Babette, but Babette was munching watercress busily, and did not return his enquiring glances.
"A boy is always a trouble," he said sententiously "And it is likely that so Monseigneur will find it. How old would the child be?" "About twelve, I should say," answered Madame "But beautiful as a little angel, Jean!" "That's a pity!" and Patoux shook his head ominously "Tis bad enough when a girl is beautiful, but a boy! Well, well!
"I am afraid you are indulging in very unorthodox ideas," he said with impatience "In fact I consider you altogether mistake your calling and position." These were the words which had reached the attentive ears of the Patoux children on their way up to bed, and had caused Henri to declare that the Archbishop and the Cardinal were quarrelling.
"I rather doubt that!" interposed Patoux slowly, "For I gather from our Archbishop that the Holy Father was suspicious of some trick rather than an excess of sanctity!" Cazeau reddened through his pallid skin. "I know nothing of that!" he said curtly, "But my orders are imperative, and I shall seek the assistance of the Archbishop to enforce and carry them out!
He was told no, that the Government objected to religious teaching, as it merely created discussion and was of no assistance whatever in the material business of life. Patoux scratched his head over this for a considerable time and ruminated deeply, finally he smiled, a dull fat smile. "Good!" said he "I understand now why the Government makes such an ass of itself now and then!
Meantime, while Jean Patoux dug in his garden, and sang and soliloquized, his two children, Henri and Babette, their school hours being ended, had run off to the market, and were talking vivaciously with a big brown sturdy woman, who was selling poultry at a stall, under a very large patched red umbrella.
Where are the children? Are they gone to school?" "Yes they went before the Cardinal was up. 'Tis a Saturday, and they will be back early, they are going to bring little Fabien Doucet to Monseigneur." "What for?" enquired Patoux, his round eyes opening widely in amazement. "Oh, for a strange fancy! That he may bless the child and pray Our Lady to cure him of his lameness. It was Babette's whim.
Tais-toi!" murmured Patoux gently, between two whiffs of his pipe "Excuse him, Monsieur Cazeau, he is but a child." Cazeau writhed amicably. "A delightful child," he murmured "And the little girl his sister- -is also charming Ah, what fine dark eyes! what hair! Will she not come and speak to me?"
Meanwhile Patoux, having scratched his bullet-head sufficiently over the matter, offered his visitor a chair. "Sit down, sir," he said curtly. The secretary smiled pallidly and took the proffered accommodation. Patoux again meditated. He was not skilled in the art of polite conversation, and he found himself singularly at a loss.
"Ah, Monseigneur, for you it is different," said Madame Patoux shaking her head and sighing "You are like the blessed saints safe in a niche of Holy Church, with Our Lady for ever looking after you.
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