"Ah, you planted them to surprise me! You always liked to give surprises, my boy."
The moment had come.
"Is the cowshed just the same since poor Rousette went?" I asked.
"Oh, no; I keep my wood there now."
We had reached the shed by this time. I pushed open the door and at once our cow, who was hungry, began to bellow.
"A cow! A cow in my cowshed!" cried Mother Barberin.
Mattia and I burst out laughing.
"It's a surprise," I cried, "and a better one than the Jerusalem artichokes."
She looked at me in a dazed, astonished manner.
"Yes, it's a present for you. I did not come back with empty hands to the mamma who was so good to the little lost boy. This is to replace Rousette. Mattia and I bought it for you with the money we earned."
"Oh, the dear boys!" she cried, kissing us both.
She now went inside the shed to examine her present. At each discovery she gave a shriek of delight.
"What a beautiful cow," she exclaimed.
Then she turned round suddenly.
"Say, you must be very rich now?"
"I should say so," laughed Mattia; "we've got fifty-eight sous left."
I ran to the house to fetch the milk pail, and while in the house I arranged the butter, eggs, and
