The day after my arrival at my uncle's I met some children named Peyrals
who became my playmates. According to the fashion of that part of the
country their baptismal names were spoken preceded by the definite
article. The two little girls respectively ten and twelve years old were
called “the Marciette” and “the Titi,” and their younger brother, still
a little chap, who did not, therefore, figure so largely in our plays,
was called “the Medon.”
As I was younger in my ways than most boys of twelve,--in spite of
my understanding of some things usually beyond the comprehension of
children,--we immediately became a congenial little band, and for
several summers we came together and enjoyed each other's companionship.
The father of the little Peyrals owned all the forests and vineyards
upon the hillsides about us. We had the freedom of them, were absolutely
our own masters, and no one controlled or restrained us in any way, no
matter how absurd we were.
In that mountain village our relatives were so esteemed by the peasants
living around them, that it was perfectly proper for us to wander any
where and every where in search of adventures. We would start out very
early in the morning upon mysterious expeditions, or we went to distant
vineyards to have picnics or to chase butterflies that we never
caught. Sometimes a little peasant would enlist in our ranks and follow
submissively wherever we led. After the espionage to which I had been
accustomed I found this liberty a delicious change. An altogether novel
and independent life in the mountains; I might with some show of reason
call it a continuation of my solitude, for I was the senior of these
children who merely participated in my fantastic plays: between us there
were abysmal differences springing from the quality of our minds and
imaginations.
I was always the undisputed chief of the band; Titi, the only one who
ever revolted, was easily brought to terms; the children seemed to wish
to please me in everything, and that made it very easy for me to manage
them.
That was the first little band I led. Later, other ones, less easy to
cope with, came under my dominion; but I always preferred to have them
composed of persons younger than myself, younger in mental development
especially, and more simple in every way than I, so that they would not
interfere with my whims, nor laugh at my childishness.