LONG LEGS ARE GOOD FOR RUNNING IF NOT FOR DANCING.
Mistress Billet was a fat woman who honored her husband, delighted in
her daughter and fed her field hands as no other housewife did for
miles around. So there was a rush to be employed at Billet's.
Pitou appreciated his luck at the full value when he saw the golden
loaf placed at his elbow, the pot of cider set on his right, and the
chunk of mild-cured bacon before him. Since he lost his mother, five
years before, the orphan had never enjoyed such cheer, even on a feast
day.
He remembered, too, that his new duties of neatherd and shepherd had
been fulfilled by gods and demigods.
Besides Mrs. Billet had the management of the kine and orders were not
harsh from Catherine's mouth.
"You shall stay here," said she; "I have made father understand that
you are good for a heap of things; for instance, you can keep the
accounts----"
"Well, I know the four rules of arithmetic," said Pitou, proudly.
"You are one ahead of me. Here you stay."
"I am glad, for I could not live afar from you. Oh, I beg pardon, but
that came from my heart."
"I do not bear you ill will for that," said Catherine; "it is not your
fault if you like us here."
Poor young lambs, they say so much in so few words!
So Pitou did much of Catherine's work and she had more time to make
pretty caps and "titivate herself up," to use her mother's words.
"I think you prettier without a cap on," he remarked.
"You may; but your taste is not the rule. I cannot go over to the town
and dance without a cap on. That is all very well for fine ladies, who
have the right to go bareheaded and wear powder on the hair."
"You beat them all without powder."
"Compliments again, did you learn to make them at Fortier's."
"No, he taught nothing like that."
"Dancing?"
"Lord help us--dancing at Fortier's! he made us cut capers at the end
of the birch."
"So you do not know how to dance? Still you shall come along with me on
Sunday, and see Master Isidor Charny dance: he is the best dancer of
all the gentlemen round here."
"Who is he?"
"Owner of Boursiennes Manor. He will dance with me next Sunday."
Pitou's heart shrank without his knowing why.
"So you make yourself lovely to dance with him?" he inquired.
"With him and all the rest. You, too, if you like to learn."
Next day he applied himself to the new accomplishment and had to
acknowledge that tuition is agreeable according to the tutor. In two
hours he had a very good idea of the art.
"Ah, if you had taught me Latin, I don't believe I should have made so
many mistakes," he sighed.
"But then you would be a priest and be shut up in an ugly old monastery
where no women are allowed."
"That's so; well, I am not sorry I am not to be a priest."
At breakfast Billet reminded his new man that the reading of the
Gilbert pamphlet was to take place in the barn at ten A. M. next day.
That was the hour for mass, Pitou objected.
"Just why I pitch on it, to test my lads," replied the farmer.
Billet detested religious leaders as the apostles of tyranny, and
seized the opportunity of setting up one altar against another.
His wife and daughter raising some remonstrance, he said that church
was good enough for womanfolks, no doubt, and they might go and sleep
away their time there; but it suited men to hear stronger stuff, or
else the men should not work on his land.
Billet was a despot in his house; only Catherine ever coped with him
and she was hushed when he frowned.
But she thought to gain something for Pitou on the occasion. She
pointed out that the doctrines might suffer by the mouthpiece; that
the reader was too shabby for the phrases to make a mark. So Pitou was
agreeably surprised when Sunday morning came round to see the tailor
enter while he was ruminating how he could "clean up," and lay on a
chair a coat and breeches of sky blue cloth and a long waistcoat of
white and pink stripes. At the same time a housemaid came in to put
on another chair opposite the first, a shirt and a neckcloth; if the
former fitted, she was to make half-a-dozen.
It was the day for surprises: behind the two came the hatter who
brought a three-cocked hat of the latest fashion so full of style and
elegance that nothing better was worn in Villers Cotterets.
The only trouble was that the shoes were too small for Ange: the man
had made them on the last of his son who was four years the senior of
Pitou. This superiority of our friend made him proud for a space, but
it was spoilt by his fear that he would have to go to the ball in his
old shoes--which would mar the new suit. This uneasiness was of short
duration. A pair of shoes sent for Father Billet were brought at the
same time and they fitted Pitou--a fact kept hidden from Billet, who
might not like his new man literally stepping into his own shoes.
When Pitou, dressed, hatted, shod and his hair dressed, looked at
himself in the mirror, he did not know himself. He grinned approvingly
and said, as he drew himself up to his full height:
"Fetch along your Master Charnys now!"
"My eyes," cried the farmer, admiring him as much as the women when he
strutted into the main room: "you have turned out a strapper, my lad. I
should like Aunt Angelique to see you thus togged out. She would want
you home again."
"But, papa, she could not take him back, could she?"
"As long as he is a minor--unless she forfeited her right by driving
him out."
"But the five years are over," said Pitou quickly, "for which Dr.
Gilbert paid a thousand francs."
"There is a man for you!" exclaimed Billet: "just think that I am
always hearing such good deeds of his. D'ye see, it is life and death
for him!" and he raised his hand to heaven.
"He wanted me to learn a trade," went on the youth.
"Quite right of him. See how the best intentions are given a twist. A
thousand francs are left to fit a lad for the battle of life, and they
put him in a priest's school to make a psalm-singer of him. How much
did your aunt give old Fortier?"
"Nothing."
"Then she pocketed Master Gilbert's money?"
"It is likely enough."
"Mark ye, Pitou, I have a bit of a hint to give you. When the old
humbug of a saint cracks her whistle, look into the boxes, demijohns
and old crocks, for she has been hiding her savings. But to business.
Have you the Gilbert book?"
"Here, in my pocket."
"Have you thought the matter over, father?" said Catherine.
"Good actions do not want any thought," replied the farmer. "The doctor
bade me have the book read and the good principles sown. The book shall
be read and the principles scattered."
"But we can go to church?" ventured the maid timidly.
"Mother and you can go to the pew, yes: but we men have better to do.
Come alone, Pitou, my man."
Pitou bowed to the ladies as well as the tight coat allowed and
followed the farmer, proud to be called a man.
The gathering in the barn was numerous. Billet was highly esteemed by
his hired men and they did not mind his roaring at them as long as he
boarded and lodged them bounteously. So they had all hastened to come
at his invitation.
Besides, at this period, the strange fever ran through France felt when
a nation is going to go to work. New and strange words were current in
mouths never pronouncing them. Freedom, Independence, emancipation,
were heard not only among the lower classes but from the nobility in
the first place, so that the popular voice was but their echo.
From the West came the light which illumined before it burnt. The sun
rose in the Great Republic of America which was to be in its round a
vast conflagration for France by the beams of which frightened nations
were to see "Freedom" inscribed in letters of blood.
So political meetings were less rare than might be supposed. Apostles
of an unknown deity sprang up from heaven knows where, and went from
town to town, disseminating words of hope. Those at the head of the
government found certain wheels clogged without understanding where
the hindrance lay. Opposition was in all minds before it appeared in
hands and limbs, but it was present, sensible, and the more menacing as
it was intangible like a spectre and could be premised before it was
grappled with.
Twenty and more farmers, field hands, and neighbors of Billet were in
the barn.
When their friend walked in with Pitou, all heads were uncovered and
all hats waved at arms-length. It was plain that these men were willing
to die at the master's call.
The farmer explained that the book was by Dr. Gilbert which the young
man was about to read out. The doctor was well-known in the district
where he owned much land, while Billet was his principal tenant.
A cask was ready for the reader, who scrambled upon it, and began his
task.
Common folks, I may almost say, people in general, listen with the
most attention to words they do not clearly understand. The full
sense of the pamphlet escaped the keenest wits here, and Billet's as
well. But in the midst of the cloudy phrases shone the words Freedom,
Independence and Equality like lightnings in the dark, and that was
enough for the applause to break forth:
"Hurrah for Dr. Gilbert!" was shouted.
When the book was read a third through, it was resolved to have the
rest in two more sessions, next time on the Sunday coming, when all
hands promised to attend.
Pitou had read very well: nothing succeeds like success. He took his
share in the cheers for the language, and Billet himself felt some
respect arise for the dismissed pupil of Father Fortier.
One thing was lacking to Ange, that Catherine had not witnessed his
oratorical triumph.
But Billet hastened to impart his pleasure to his wife and daughter.
Mother Billet said nothing, being a woman of narrow mind.
"I am afraid you will get into trouble," sighed Catherine, smiling
sadly.
"Pshaw, playing the bird of ill-omen again. Let me tell you that I like
larks better than owls."
"Father, I had warning that you were looked upon suspiciously."
"Who said so?"
"A friend."
"Advice ought to be thanked. Tell me the friend's name?"
"He ought to be well informed, as it is Viscount Isidor Charny."
"What makes that scented dandy meddle with such matters? Does he give
me advice on the way I should think? Do I suggest how he should cut his
coat? It seems to me that it would be only tarring him with the same
brush."
"I am not telling you this to vex you, father: but the advice is given
with good intention."
"I will give him a piece, and you can transmit it with my compliments.
Let him and his upper class look to themselves. The National Assembly
is going to give them a shaking up; and the question will be roughly
handled of the royal pets and favorites. Warning to his brother George,
the Count of Charny, who is one of the gang, and on very close terms
with the Austrian leech."
"Father, you have more experience than we, and you can act as you
please," returned the girl.
"Indeed," said Pitou in a low voice, "why does this Charny fop shove in
his oar anyhow?" for he was filled with arrogance from his success.
Catherine did not hear, or pretended not, and the subject dropped.
Pitou thought the dinner lasted a long time as he was in a hurry to go
off with Catherine and show his finery at the rustic ball. Catherine
looked charming. She was a pretty, black-eyed but fair girl, slender
and flexible as the willows shading the farm spring. She had tricked
herself out with the natural daintiness setting off all her advantages,
and the little cap she had made for herself suited her wonderfully.
Almost the first of the stray gentlemen who condescended to patronize
the popular amusement was a young man whom Pitou guessed to be Isidor
Charny.
He was a handsome young blade of twenty-three or so, graceful in every
movement like those brought up in aristocratic education from the
cradle. Besides, he was one of those who wear dress to the best harmony.
On seeing his hands and feet, Pitou began to be less proud over
Nature's prodigality towards him in these respects. He looked down
at his legs with the eye of the stag in the fable. He sighed when
Catherine wished to know why he was so glum.
But honest Pitou, after being forced to own the superiority of Charny
as a beauty, had to do so as a dancer.
Dancing was part of the training, then: Lauzum owed his fortune at
court to his skill in a curranto in the royal quadrille. More than one
other nobleman had won his way by the manner of treading a measure and
arching the instep.
The viscount was a model of grace and perfection.
"Lord 'a' mercy," sighed Pitou when Catherine returned to him; "I shall
never dare to dance with you after seeing Lord Charny at it."
Catherine did not answer as she was too good to tell a lie; she stared
at the speaker for he was suddenly becoming a man: he could feel
jealousy.
She danced three or four times yet, and after another round with Isidor
Charny, she asked to be taken home; that was all she had come for, one
might guess.
"What ails you?" she asked as her companion kept quiet; "why do you not
speak to me?"
"Because I cannot talk like Viscount Charny," was the other's reply.
"What can I say after all the fine things he spoke during the dances?"
"You are unfair, Ange; for we were talking about you. If your guardian
does not turn up, we must find you a patron."
"Am I not good enough to keep the farm books?" sighed Pitou.
"On the contrary, with the education you have received you are fitted
for something better."
"I do not know what I am coming to, but I do not want to owe it to
Viscount Charny."
"Why refuse his protection? His brother the Count, is, they say,
particularly in favor at the court, and he married a bosom friend of
the Queen Marie Antoinette. Lord Isidor tells me that he will get you a
place in the custom-house, if you like."
"Much obliged, but as I have already told you, I am content to stay as
I am, if your father does not send me away."
"Why the devil should I," broke in a rough voice which Catherine
started to recognize as her father's.
"Not a word about Lord Isidor," whispered she to Pitou.
"I--I hardly know--I kind o' feared I was not smart enough, stammered
Ange.
"When you can count like one o'clock, and read to beat the
schoolmaster, who still believes himself a wise clerk. No, Pitou, the
good God brings people to me, and once they are under my rooftree, they
stick as long as He pleases."
With this assurance Pitou returned to his new home. He had experienced
a great change. He had lost trust in himself. And so he slept badly.
He recalled Gilbert's book; it was principally against the privileged
classes and their abuses, and the cowardice of those who submitted to
them. Pitou fancied he began to understand these matters better and he
made up his mind to read more of the work on the morrow.
Rising early, he went down with it into the yard where he could have
the light fall on the book through an open window with the additional
advantage that he might see Catherine through it. She might be expected
down at any moment.
But when he glanced up from his reading at the intervention of
an opaque body between him and the light, he was amazed at the
disagreeable person who caused the eclipse.
This was a man of middle age, longer and thinner than Pitou, clad in a
coat as patched and thread-bare as his own--for Pitou had resumed his
old clothes for the working day--while thrusting his head forward on a
lank neck, he read the book with as much curiosity as the other felt
relish--though it was upside down to him.
Ange was greatly astonished. A kind smile adorned the stranger's mouth
in which a few snags stuck up, a pair crossing another like boar's
fangs.
"The American edition," said the man snuffling up his nose, "In octavo,
'On the Freedom of Man and the Independence of Nations. Boston, 1788.'"
Pitou opened his eyes in proportion to the progress of the unknown
reader, so that when he had reached the end his eyes were at the utmost
extent.
"Just so, sir," said Pitou.
"This is the treatise of Dr. Gilbert's?" said the man in black.
"Yes, sir," rejoined the young man politely.
He rose as he had been taught that he must not sit in a superior's
presence and to simple Ange everybody was a superior. In rising
something fair and rosy attracted his attention at the window: it was
Catherine come down at last, who was making cautionary signs to him.
"I do not want to be inquisitive, sir, but I should like to know whose
book this is?" remarked the stranger pointing at the book without
touching it as it was between Pitou's hands.
Pitou was going to say it belonged to Billet, but the girl motioned
that he ought to lay claim to it himself. So he majestically responded:
"This book is mine."
The man in black had seen nothing but the book and its reader and heard
but these words. But he suspiciously glanced behind: swift as a bird,
Catherine had vanished.
"Your book?"
"Yes; do you want to read it--'Avidus legendi libri' or 'legendie
historiae?'"
"Hello! you appear much above the condition your clothes beseem," said
the stranger: "'Non dives vestitu sed ingenio'----and it follows that
I take you into custody."
"Me, in custody?" gasped Pitou at the summit of stupefaction.
At the order of the man in black, two sergeants of the Paris Police
seemed to rise up out of the ground.
"Let us draw up a report," said the man, while one of the constables
bound Pitou's hands by a rope and took the book into his own
possession, and the other secured the prisoner to a ring happening to
be by the window.
Pitou was going to bellow, but the same person who had already so
influenced him seemed to hint he should submit.
He submitted with a docility enchanting the policemen, and the man in a
black suit in particular. Hence, without any distrust, they walked into
the farmhouse where the two policemen took seats at a table while the
other--we shall know what he was after presently.
Scarcely had the trio gone in than Pitou heard the voice:
"Hold up your hands."
He raised them and his head as well, and saw Catherine's pale and
frightened face: in her hand she held a knife.
Pitou rose on tiptoe and she cut the rope round his wrists.
"Take the knife," she said, "and cut yourself free from the ringbolt."
Pitou did not wait for twice telling but found himself wholly free.
"Here is a double-louis," went on the girl; "you have good legs. Make
away. Go to Paris and warn the doctor."
She could not conclude for the constables appeared again as the coin
fell at Pitou's feet. He picked it up quickly. Indeed the armed
constables stood on the sill for an instant, astounded to see the man
free whom they had left bound. But as at the dog's least stir the hare
bolts, at the first move of the police, Pitou made a prodigious leap
and was on the other side of the hedge.
They uttered a yell which brought out the corporal, who held a little
casket under the arm. He lost no time in speech-making but darted
after the escaped one. His men followed his example. But they were not
able to jump the hedge and ditch, like Pitou, and were forced to go
roundabout.
But when they got over, they beheld the youth five hundred paces off on
the meadow, tearing away directly to the woods, a quarter of a league
distant, which he would gain in a short time.
He turned at this nick, and perceiving the enemy take up the chase,
though more for the name of the thing than any hope of overtaking him,
he doubled his speed and soon dashed out of sight in the thicket.
He had the wind as well as the swiftness of the buck, and he ran for
ten minutes as he might for an hour. But judging that he was out of
danger, by his instinct, he stopped to breathe, listen and make sure
that he was quite alone.
"It is incredible what a quantity of incidents have been crammed into
three days," he mused.
He looked alternately at his coin and the knife.
"I must find time to change the gold and give Miss Catherine a penny
for the knife, for fear it will cut our friendship. Never mind, since
she bade me go to Paris, I shall go."
On making out where he was, he struck a straight line over the heath to
come out on the Paris highroad.