"
"Why, what have I done that is not proper?" asked Simon, in
amazement.
"Look at him, the poor, beaten, swollen, stupefied boy," said
Naudin, solemnly, pointing to Louis, who sat on his chair, weeping
and trembling in all his limbs--"look at him, citizen, and then do
not ask me again what you have done that is not proper."
"Well, but he deserves nothing better," cried Simon, with a sneer.
"He is the son of the she-wolf, Madame Veto."
"He is a human being," said Doctor Naudin, solemnly, "and he is,
besides, a helpless boy, whom the one, indivisible, and righteous
republic deprived of his father and mother, and put under your care
to be educated as if he were a son of your own. I ask you, citizen,
would you have struck a son of your own as you just struck this
boy?"
A loud, convulsive sob came from the bed on which Jeanne Marie lay,
and entirely confused and disturbed Simon.
"No," he said, softly, "perhaps I should not have done it. But,"
continued he eagerly, and with a grim look, "a child of my own would
not have tried and exasperated me as this youngster does. From
morning till evening he vexes me, for he does nothing that I want
him to. If I order him to sing with me, he is still and stupid, and
when he ought to be still he makes a noise. Would you believe me,
citizen, this son of the she-wolf leaves me no quiet for sleep.
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