"You are the cause, stupid, that I cannot be there today!"
"Master," said the child, beseechingly, lifting his great blue eyes,
in which the tears were standing, up to his tormentor--" master, I
beg your forgiveness if I have troubled you."
"Yes, you have troubled me," growled Simon, "and you shall get your
thanks for it in a way you will not like. Quick, away with your
tears, go on with your play if you do not want your back to make
acquaintance with my straps. Merry, I say, little Capet, merry!"
The boy hastily dried his tears, laughed aloud as a proof of his
merriment, and began to jump about again and to play with his ball.
Simon listened again, and looked down longingly into the streets,
which were now black with the surging masses of men. Steps were now
heard upon the stairway, and Jeanne Marie presently appeared on the
platform. With a grave, solemn air she walked up to her husband, and
gave him her stocking, on which three great drops of blood were
visible.
"That is her blood," she said, calmly. "Thank God, I have lost the
bet!"
"What sort of a bet was it?" asked the boy, with a smile, and giving
his ball a merry toss.
"The bet is nothing to you," answered Jeanne Marie, "but if you are
good you will get something by and by, and have a share in the
payment of the bet!"
That evening there was a little feast prepared in the gloomy rooms
of the Simons.
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