we left this hospitable farm we had a capital of twenty-eight francs!
"I owe this to you, Mattia," I said, after we had counted it; "I could not have made an orchestra all alone."
With twenty-eight francs in our pockets we were rich. When we reached Corbeil I could very well afford to buy a few things that I considered indispensable: first, a cornet, which would cost three francs at a second-hand shop, then some red ribbons for our stockings and, lastly, another knapsack. It would be easier to carry a small bag all the time than a heavy one in turns.
"A boss like you, who doesn't beat one, is too good," said Mattia, laughing happily from time to time.
Our prosperous state of affairs made me decide to set out for Mother Barberin's as soon as possible. I could take her a present. I was rich now. There was something that, more than anything else, would make her happy, not only now, but in her old age—a cow that would replace poor Rousette. How happy she would be if I gave her a cow, and how proud I should be. Before arriving at Chavanon I would buy a cow and Mattia would lead it by a rope, right into Mother Barberin's yard.
Mattia would say to her: "Here is a cow I've brought you."
"A cow!" she would say; "you've made a mistake, my boy," and she would sigh.
