CHAPTER IX

      THEFAMILYOFMICHAELAROUT

      September15th,EightOclock

      Thismorning,whileIwasarrangingmybooks,MotherGenevievecamein,andbroughtmethebasketoffruitIbuyofhereverySunday.ForthenearlytwentyyearsthatIhavelivedinthisquarter,Ihavedealtinherlittlefruit-shop.PerhapsIshouldbebetterservedelsewhere,butMotherGenevievehasbutlittlecustom;toleaveherwoulddoherharm,andcauseherunnecessarypain.Itseemstomethatthelengthofouracquaintancehasmademeincurasortoftacitobligationtoher;mypatronagehasbecomeherproperty.

      Shehasputthebasketuponmytable,andasIwantherhusband,whoisajoiner,toaddsomeshelvestomybookcase,shehasgonedownstairsagainimmediatelytosendhimtome.

      AtfirstIdidnotnoticeeitherherlooksorthesoundofhervoice:

      but,nowthatIrecallthem,itseemstomethatshewasnotasjovialasusual.CanMotherGenevievebeintroubleaboutanything?

      Poorwoman!Allherbestyearsweresubjecttosuchbittertrials,thatshemightthinkshehadreceivedherfullsharealready.WereItoliveahundredyears,Ishouldneverforgetthecircumstanceswhichmadeherknowntome,andwhichobtainedforhermyrespect.

      Itwasatthetimeofmyfirstsettlinginthefaubourg.Ihadnoticedheremptyfruit-shop,whichnobodycameinto,and,beingattractedbyitsforsakenappearance,Imademylittlepurchasesinit.Ihavealwaysinstinctivelypreferredthepoorshops;thereislesschoiceinthem,butitseemstomethatmypurchaseisasignofsympathywithabrotherinpoverty.Theselittledealingsarealmostalwaysananchorofhopetothosewhoseveryexistenceisinperil——theonlymeansbywhichsomeorphangainsalivelihood.Theretheaimofthetradesmanisnottoenrichhimself,buttolive!Thepurchaseyoumakeofhimismorethananexchange——itisagoodaction.

      MotherGenevieveatthattimewasstillyoung,buthadalreadylostthatfreshbloomofyouthwhichsufferingcausestowithersosoonamongthepoor.Herhusband,acleverjoiner,graduallyleftoffworkingtobecome,accordingtothepicturesqueexpressionoftheworkshops,aworshipperofSaintMonday.Thewagesoftheweek,whichwasalwaysreducedtotwoorthreeworkingdays,werecompletelydedicatedbyhimtotheworshipofthisgodoftheBarriers,——[ThecheapwineshopsareoutsidetheBarriers,toavoidtheoctroi,ormunicipalexcise.]——andGenevievewasobligedherselftoprovideforallthewantsofthehousehold.

      Oneevening,whenIwenttomakesometriflingpurchasesofher,Iheardasoundofquarrellinginthebackshop.Therewerethevoicesofseveralwomen,amongwhichIdistinguishedthatofGenevieve,brokenbysobs.Onlookingfartherin,Iperceivedthefruit-womanholdingachildinherarms,andkissingit,whileacountrynurseseemedtobeclaimingherwagesfromher.Thepoorwoman,whowithoutdoubthadexhaustedeveryexplanationandeveryexcuse,wascryinginsilence,andoneofherneighborswastryinginvaintoappeasethecountrywoman.Excitedbythatloveofmoneywhichtheevilsofahardpeasantlifebuttoowellexcuse,anddisappointedbytherefusalofherexpectedwages,thenursewaslaunchingforthinrecriminations,threats,andabuse.Inspiteofmyself,Ilistenedtothequarrel,notdaringtointerfere,andnotthinkingofgoingaway,whenMichaelAroutappearedattheshop-door.

      ThejoinerhadjustcomefromtheBarriers,wherehehadpassedpartofthedayatapublic-house.Hisblouse,withoutabelt,anduntiedatthethroat,showednoneofthenoblestainsofwork:inhishandheheldhiscap,whichhehadjustpickedupoutofthemud;hishairwasindisorder,hiseyefixed,andthepallorofdrunkennessinhisface.Hecamereelingin,lookedwildlyaroundhim,andcalledGenevieve.

      Sheheardhisvoice,gaveastart,andrushedintotheshop;butatthesightofthemiserableman,whowastryinginvaintosteadyhimself,shepressedthechildinherarms,andbentoveritwithtears.

      Thecountrywomanandtheneighborhadfollowedher.

      "Come!come!"criedtheformerinarage,"doyouintendtopayme,afterall?"

      "Askthemasterforthemoney,"ironicallyansweredthewomanfromthenextdoor,pointingtothejoiner,whohadjustfallenagainstthecounter.

      Thecountrywomanlookedathim.

      "Ah!heisthefather,"returnedshe."Well,whatidlebeggars!nottohaveapennytopayhonestpeople;andgettipsywithwineinthatway."

      Thedrunkardraisedhishead.

      "What!what!"stammeredhe;"whoisitthattalksofwine?Ivehadnothingbutbrandy!ButIamgoingbackagaintogetsomewine!Wife,givemeyourmoney;therearesomefriendswaitingformeatthePerelaTuille."

      Genevievedidnotanswer:hewentroundthecounter,openedthetill,andbegantorummageinit.

      "Youseewherethemoneyofthehousegoes!"observedtheneighbortothecountrywoman;"howcanthepoorunhappywomanpayyouwhenhetakesall?"

      "Isthatmyfault?"repliedthenurse,angrily."Theyowetome,andsomehoworothertheymustpayme!"

      Andlettingloosehertongue,asthesewomenoutofthecountrydo,shebeganrelatingatlengthallthecareshehadtakenofthechild,andalltheexpenseithadbeentoher.Inproportionassherecalledallshehaddone,herwordsseemedtoconvincehermorethaneverofherrights,andtoincreaseheranger.Thepoormother,whonodoubtfearedthatherviolencewouldfrightenthechild,returnedintothebackshop,andputitintoitscradle.

      Whetheritisthatthecountrywomansawinthisactadeterminationtoescapeherclaims,orthatshewasblindedbypassion,Icannotsay;butsherushedintothenextroom,whereIheardthesoundsofquarrelling,withwhichthecriesofthechildweresoonmingled.Thejoiner,whowasstillrummaginginthetill,wasstartled,andraisedhishead.

      AtthesamemomentGenevieveappearedatthedoor,holdinginherarmsthebabythatthecountrywomanwastryingtotearfromher.Sherantowardthecounter,andthrowingherselfbehindherhusband,cried:

      "Michael,defendyourson!"

      Thedrunkenmanquicklystooduperect,likeonewhoawakeswithastart.

      "Myson!"stammeredhe;"whatson?"

      Hislooksfelluponthechild;avaguerayofintelligencepassedoverhisfeatures.

      "Robert,"resumedhe;"itisRobert!"

      Hetriedtosteadyhimselfonhisfeet,thathemighttakethebaby,buthetottered.Thenurseapproachedhiminarage.

      "Mymoney,orIshalltakethechildaway!"criedshe."ItisIwhohavefedandbroughtitup:ifyoudontpaymeforwhathasmadeitlive,itoughttobethesametoyouasifitweredead.IshallnotgountilIhavemydue,orthebaby."

      "Andwhatwouldyoudowithhim?"murmuredGenevieve,pressingRobertagainstherbosom.

      "TakeittotheFoundling!"repliedthecountrywoman,harshly;"thehospitalisabettermotherthanyouare,foritpaysforthefoodofitslittleones."

      Attheword"Foundling,"Genevievehadexclaimedaloudinhorror.Withherarmswoundroundherson,whoseheadshehidinherbosom,andhertwohandsspreadoverhim,shehadretreatedtothewall,andremainedwithherbackagainstit,likealionessdefendingheryoung.TheneighborandIcontemplatedthisscene,withoutknowinghowwecouldinterfere.AsforMichael,helookedatusbyturns,makingavisibleefforttocomprehenditall.WhenhiseyeresteduponGenevieveandthechild,itlitupwithagleamofpleasure;butwhenheturnedtowardus,heagainbecamestupidandhesitating.

      Atlast,apparentlymakingaprodigiouseffort,hecriedout,"Wait!"

      Andgoingtoatubfilledwithwater,heplungedhisfaceintoitseveraltimes.

      Everyeyewasturneduponhim;thecountrywomanherselfseemedastonished.Atlengthheraisedhisdrippinghead.Thisablutionhadpartlydispelledhisdrunkenness;helookedatusforamoment,thenheturnedtoGenevieve,andhisfacebrightenedup.

      "Robert!"criedhe,goinguptothechild,andtakinghiminhisarms.

      "Ah!givehimme,wife;Imustlookathim."

      Themotherseemedtogiveuphissontohimwithreluctance,andstayedbeforehimwithherarmsextended,asifshefearedthechildwouldhaveafall.Thenursebeganagaininherturntospeak,andrenewedherclaims,thistimethreateningtoappealtolaw.AtfirstMichaellistenedtoherattentively,andwhenhecomprehendedhermeaning,hegavethechildbacktoitsmother.

      "Howmuchdoweoweyou?"askedhe.

      Thecountrywomanbegantoreckonupthedifferentexpenses,whichamountedtonearlythirtyfrancs.Thejoinerfelttothebottomofhispockets,butcouldfindnothing.Hisforeheadbecamecontractedbyfrowns;lowcursesbegantoescapehim.Allofasuddenherummagedinhisbreast,drewforthalargewatch,andholdingitupabovehishead:

      "Hereitis——heresyourmoney!"criedhewithajoyfullaugh;"awatch,agoodone!Ialwayssaiditwouldkeepforadrinkonadryday;butitisnotIwhowilldrinkit,buttheyoungone.Ah!ah!ah!goandsellitforme,neighbor,andifthatisnotenough,Ihavemyearrings.Eh!

      Genevieve,takethemoffforme;theearringswillsquareall!Theyshallnotsayyouhavebeendisgracedonaccountofthechild——no,notevenifImustpledgeabitofmyflesh!Mywatch,myearrings,andmyring——getridofallofthemformeatthegoldsmiths;paythewoman,andletthelittlefoolgotosleep.Givehimme,Genevieve;Iwillputhimtobed."

      And,takingthebabyfromthearmsofhismother,hecarriedhimwithafirmsteptohiscradle.

      ItwaseasytoperceivethechangewhichtookplaceinMichaelfromthisday.Hecutallhisolddrinkingacquaintances.Hewentearlyeverymorningtohiswork,andreturnedregularlyintheeveningtofinishthedaywithGenevieveandRobert.Verysoonhewouldnotleavethematall,andhehiredaplacenearthefruit-shop,andworkedinitonhisownaccount.

      Theywouldsoonhavebeenabletoliveincomfort,haditnotbeenfortheexpenseswhichthechildrequired.Everythingwasgivenuptohiseducation.Hehadgonethroughtheregularschooltraining,hadstudiedmathematics,drawing,andthecarpenterstrade,andhadonlybeguntoworkafewmonthsago.Tillnow,theyhadbeenexhaustingeveryresourcewhichtheirlaboriousindustrycouldprovidetopushhimforwardinhisbusiness;and,happily,alltheseexertionshadnotproveduseless:theseedhadbroughtforthfruit,andthedaysofharvestwerecloseby.

      WhileIwasthusrecallingtheseremembrancestomymind,Michaelhadcomein,andwasoccupiedinfixingshelveswheretheywerewanted.

      DuringthetimeIwaswritingthenotesofmyjournal,Iwasalsoscrutinizingthejoiner.

      Theexcessesofhisyouthandthelaborofhismanhoodhavedeeplymarkedhisface;hishairisthinandgray,hisshouldersstoop,hislegsareshrunkenandslightlybent.Thereseemsasortofweightinhiswholebeing.Hisveryfeatureshaveanexpressionofsorrowanddespondency.

      Heanswersmyquestionsbymonosyllables,andlikeamanwhowishestoavoidconversation.Whencecomesthisdejection,whenonewouldthinkhehadallhecouldwishfor?Ishouldliketoknow!

      Tenoclock——Michaelisjustgonedownstairstolookforatoolhehasforgotten.IhaveatlastsucceededindrawingfromhimthesecretofhisandGenevievessorrow.TheirsonRobertisthecauseofit!

      Notthathehasturnedoutillafteralltheircare——notthatheisidleordissipated;butbothwereinhopeshewouldneverleavethemanymore.

      Thepresenceoftheyoungmanwastohaverenewedandmadegladtheirlivesoncemore;hismothercountedthedays,hisfatherpreparedeverythingtoreceivetheirdearassociateintheirtoils;andatthemomentwhentheywerethusabouttoberepaidforalltheirsacrifices,RoberthadsuddenlyinformedthemthathehadjustengagedhimselftoacontractoratVersailles.

      Everyremonstranceandeveryprayerwereuseless;hebroughtforwardthenecessityofinitiatinghimselfintoallthedetailsofanimportantcontract,thefacilitiesheshouldhaveinhisnewpositionofimprovinghimselfinhistrade,andthehopeshehadofturninghisknowledgetoadvantage.At,last,whenhismother,havingcometotheendofherarguments,begantocry,hehastilykissedher,andwentawaythathemightavoidanyfurtherremonstrances.

      Hehadbeenabsentayear,andtherewasnothingtogivethemhopesofhisreturn.Hisparentshardlysawhimonceamonth,andthenheonlystayedafewmomentswiththem.

      "IhavebeenpunishedwhereIhadhopedtoberewarded,"Michaelsaidtomejustnow."Ihadwishedforasavingandindustriousson,andGodhasgivenmeanambitiousandavariciousone!Ihadalwayssaidtomyselfthatwhenoncehewasgrownupweshouldhavehimalwayswithus,torecallouryouthandtoenlivenourhearts.Hismotherwasalwaysthinkingofgettinghimmarried,andhavingchildrenagaintocarefor.

      Youknowwomenalwayswillbusythemselvesaboutothers.Asforme,Ithoughtofhimworkingnearmybench,andsinginghisnewsongs;forhehaslearntmusic,andisoneofthebestsingersattheOrpheon.

      Adream,sir,truly!Directlythebirdwasfledged,hetooktoflight,andremembersneitherfathernormother.Yesterday,forinstance,wasthedayweexpectedhim;heshouldhavecometosupperwithus.NoRobertto-day,either!Hehashadsomeplantofinish,orsomebargaintoarrange,andhisoldparentsareputdownlastintheaccounts,afterthecustomersandthejoinerswork.Ah!ifIcouldhaveguessedhowitwouldhaveturnedout!Fool!tohavesacrificedmylikingsandmymoney,fornearlytwentyyears,totheeducationofathanklessson!WasitforthisItookthetroubletocuremyselfofdrinking,tobreakwithmyfriends,tobecomeanexampletotheneighborhood?Thejovialgoodfellowhasmadeagooseofhimself.Oh!ifIhadtobeginagain!No,no!youseewomenandchildrenareourbane.Theysoftenourhearts;theyleadusalifeofhopeandaffection;wepassaquarterofourlivesinfosteringthegrowthofagrainofcornwhichistobeeverythingtousinouroldage,andwhentheharvest-timecomes——good-night,theearisempty!"

      Whilehewasspeaking,Michaelsvoicebecamehoarse,hiseyesfierce,andhislipsquivered.Iwishedtoanswerhim,butIcouldonlythinkofcommonplaceconsolations,andIremainedsilent.Thejoinerpretendedheneededatool,andleftme.

      Poorfather!Ah!Iknowthosemomentsoftemptationwhenvirtuehasfailedtorewardus,andweregrethavingobeyedher!Whohasnotfeltthisweaknessinhoursoftrial,andwhohasnotuttered,atleastonce,themournfulexclamationofBrutus?

      Butifvirtueisonlyaword,whatistheretheninlifethatistrueandreal?No,Iwillnotbelievethatgoodnessisinvain!Itdoesnotalwaysgivethehappinesswehadhopedfor,butitbringssomeother.

      Intheworldeverythingisruledbyorder,andhasitsproperandnecessaryconsequences,andvirtuecannotbethesoleexceptiontothegenerallaw.Ifithadbeenprejudicialtothosewhopractisedit,experiencewouldhaveavengedthem;butexperiencehas,onthecontrary,madeitmoreuniversalandmoreholy.Weonlyaccuseitofbeingafaithlessdebtorbecausewedemandanimmediatepayment,andoneapparenttooursenses.Wealwaysconsiderlifeasafairytale,inwhicheverygoodactionmustberewardedbyavisiblewonder.Wedonotacceptaspaymentapeacefulconscience,self-content,oragoodnameamongmen——treasuresthataremorepreciousthananyother,butthevalueofwhichwedonotfeeltillafterwehavelostthem!

      Michaeliscomeback,andhasreturnedtohiswork.Hissonhasnotyetarrived.

      Bytellingmeofhishopesandhisgrievousdisappointments,hebecameexcited;heunceasinglywentoveragainthesamesubject,alwaysaddingsomethingtohisgriefs.Hehadjustwounduphisconfidentialdiscoursebyspeakingtomeofajoinersbusinesswhichhehadhopedtobuy,andworktogoodaccountwithRobertshelp.Thepresentownerhadmadeafortunebyit,and,afterthirtyyearsofbusiness,hewasthinkingofretiringtooneoftheornamentalcottagesintheoutskirtsofthecity,ausualretreatforthefrugalandsuccessfulworkingman.Michaelhadnotindeedthetwothousandfrancswhichmustbepaiddown;butperhapshecouldhavepersuadedMasterBenoittowait.Robertspresencewouldhavebeenasecurityforhim,fortheyoungmancouldnotfailtoinsuretheprosperityofaworkshop;besidesscienceandskill,hehadthepowerofinventionandbringingtoperfection.Hisfatherhaddiscoveredamonghisdrawingsanewplanforastaircase,whichhadoccupiedhisthoughtsforalongtime;andheevensuspectedhimofhavingengagedhimselftotheVersaillescontractorfortheverypurposeofexecutingit.Theyouthwastormentedbythisspiritofinvention,whichtookpossessionofallhisthoughts,and,whiledevotinghismindtostudy,hehadnotimetolistentohisfeelings.

      Michaeltoldmeallthiswithamixedfeelingofprideandvexation.Isawhewasproudofthesonhewasabusing,andthathisverypridemadehimmoresensitivetothatsonsneglect.

      SixoclockP.M——Ihavejustfinishedahappyday.Howmanyeventshavehappenedwithinafewhours,andwhatachangeforGenevieveandMichael!

      Hehadjustfinishedfixingtheshelves,andtellingmeofhisson,whileIlaidtheclothformybreakfast.

      Suddenlyweheardhurriedstepsinthepassage,thedooropened,andGenevieveenteredwithRobert.

      Thejoinergaveastartofjoyfulsurprise,butherepresseditimmediately,asifhewishedtokeepuptheappearanceofdispleasure.

      Theyoungmandidnotappeartonoticeit,butthrewhimselfintohisarmsinanopen-heartedmanner,whichsurprisedme.Genevieve,whosefaceshonewithhappiness,seemedtowishtospeak,andtorestrainherselfwithdifficulty.

      ItoldRobertIwasgladtoseehim,andheansweredmewitheaseandcivility.

      "Iexpectedyouyesterday,"saidMichaelArout,ratherdryly.

      "Forgiveme,father,"repliedtheyoungworkman,"butIhadbusinessatSt.Germains.Iwasnotabletocomebacktillitwasverylate,andthenthemasterkeptme."

      Thejoinerlookedathissonsidewise,andthentookuphishammeragain.

      "Allright,"mutteredhe,inagrumblingtone;"whenwearewithotherpeoplewemustdoastheywish;buttherearesomewhowouldlikebettertoeatbrownbreadwiththeirownknifethanpartridgeswiththesilverforkofamaster."

      "AndIamoneofthose,father,"repliedRobert,merrily,"but,astheproverbsays,"youmustshellthepeasbeforeyoucaneatthem."ItwasnecessarythatIshouldfirstworkinagreatworkshop——"

      "Togoonwithyourplanofthestaircase,"interruptedMichael,ironically.

      "YoumustnowsayMonsieurRaymondsplan,father,"repliedRobert,smiling.

      "Why?"

      "BecauseIhavesoldittohim."

      Thejoiner,whowasplaningaboard,turnedroundquickly.

      "Soldit!"criedhe,withsparklingeyes.

      "ForthereasonthatIwasnotrichenoughtogiveithim."

      Michaelthrewdowntheboardandtool.

      "Thereheisagain!"resumedhe,angrily;"hisgoodgeniusputsanideaintohisheadwhichwouldhavemadehimknown,andhegoesandsellsittoarichman,whowilltakethehonorofithimself."

      "Well,whatharmistheredone?"askedGenevieve.

      "Whatharm!"criedthejoiner,inapassion."Youunderstandnothingaboutit——youareawoman;buthe——heknowswellthatatrueworkmannevergivesuphisowninventionsformoney,nomorethanasoldierwouldgiveuphiscross.Thatishisglory;heisboundtokeepitforthehonoritdoeshim!Ah,thunder!ifIhadevermadeadiscovery,ratherthanputitupatauctionIwouldhavesoldoneofmyeyes!Dontyouseethatanewinventionislikeachildtoaworkman?Hetakescareofit,hebringsitup,hemakesawayforitintheworld,anditisonlyapoorcreaturewhosellsit."

      Robertcoloredalittle.

      "Youwillthinkdifferently,father,"saidhe,"whenyouknowwhyIsoldmyplan."

      "Yes,andyouwillthankhimforit,"addedGenevieve,whocouldnolongerkeepsilence.

      "Never!"repliedMichael.

      "But,wretchedman!"criedshe,"hesolditonlyforoursakes!"

      Thejoinerlookedathiswifeandsonwithastonishment.Itwasnecessarytocometoanexplanation.ThelatterrelatedhowhehadenteredintoanegotiationwithMasterBenoit,whohadpositivelyrefusedtosellhisbusinessunlessonehalfofthetwothousandfrancswerefirstpaiddown.ItwasinthehopesofobtainingthissumthathehadgonetoworkwiththecontractoratVersailles;hehadhadanopportunityoftryinghisinvention,andoffindingapurchaser.Thankstothemoneyhereceivedforit,hehadjustconcludedthebargainwithBenoit,andhadbroughthisfatherthekeyofthenewwork-yard.

      ThisexplanationwasgivenbytheyoungworkmanwithsomuchmodestyandsimplicitythatIwasquiteaffectedbyit.Genevievecried;Michaelpressedhissontohisheart,andinalongembraceheseemedtoaskhispardonforhavingunjustlyaccusedhim.

      AllwasnowexplainedwithhonortoRobert.Theconductwhichhisparentshadascribedtoindifferencereallysprangfromaffection;hehadneitherobeyedthevoiceofambitionnorofavarice,noreventhenoblerinspirationofinventivegenius:hiswholemotiveandsingleaimhadbeenthehappinessofGenevieveandMichael.Thedayforprovinghisgratitudehadcome,andhehadreturnedthemsacrificeforsacrifice!

      Aftertheexplanationsandexclamationsofjoywereover,allthreewereabouttoleaveme;but,theclothbeinglaid,Iaddedthreemoreplaces,andkeptthemtobreakfast.

      Themealwasprolonged:thefarewasonlytolerable;buttheover-flowingsofaffectionmadeitdelicious.NeverhadIbetterunderstoodtheunspeakablecharmoffamilylove.Whatcalmenjoymentinthathappinesswhichisalwayssharedwithothers;inthatcommunityofinterestswhichunitessuchvariousfeelings;inthatassociationofexistenceswhichformsonesinglebeingofsomany!Whatismanwithoutthosehomeaffections,which,likesomanyroots,fixhimfirmlyintheearth,andpermithimtoimbibeallthejuicesoflife?Energy,happiness——donotallthesecomefromthem?Withoutfamilylifewherewouldmanlearntolove,toassociate,todenyhimself?Acommunityinlittle,isitnotthiswhichteachesushowtoliveinthegreatone?

      Suchistheholinessofhome,that,toexpressourrelationwithGod,wehavebeenobligedtoborrowthewordsinventedforourfamilylife.MenhavenamedthemselvesthesonsofaheavenlyFather!

      Ah!letuscarefullypreservethesechainsofdomesticunion.Donotletusunbindthehumansheaf,andscatteritsearstoallthecapricesofchanceandofthewinds;butletusratherenlargethisholylaw;letuscarrytheprinciplesandthehabitsofhomebeyondsetbounds;and,ifitmaybe,letusrealizetheprayeroftheApostleoftheGentileswhenheexclaimedtothenewbornchildrenofChrist:"Beyelike-minded,havingthesamelove,beingofoneaccord,ofonemind."