dow, raised his head, then dropped it and ran to hide in the corner of the wall made by the window embrasure.
He had just seen some one looking at him. It was a soldier of the Blues from the encampment on the plateau who, taking advantage of the truce and perhaps infringing on it a little, had ventured to the edge of the ravine where he could look into the library. Seeing René-Jean hide, Gros-Alain ran to hide; he took refuge beside René-Jean, and Georgette hid behind them. They stayed there in silence, perfectly still, and Georgette put her finger on her lips. After a few moments René-Jean ventured to put out his head; the soldier was still there. René-Jean drew his head back quickly; and the three little ones did not dare to breathe. This lasted for some time. At last Georgette grew tired of being afraid, and was bold enough to look out. The soldier had gone. They began to run and play again.
Gros-Alain, besides imitating and admiring René-Jean, had a specialty,—that of making discoveries. His brother and sister saw him suddenly whirl wildly around, dragging after him a little wagon with four wheels, which he had brought to light from some corner.
This doll's carriage had been in the dust for years, forgotten,—a good neighbor to the books of geniuses and the busts of wise men. It was perhaps one of the toys which Gauvain had played with when he was a child.
Gros-Alain had made a whip with the string, and was snapping it; it was very fine. Such are discoverers. When they do not discover America, they discover little carts. It is always thus.
But it must be shared. René-Jean wanted to draw the wagon, and Georgette wanted to get into it.
She tried to sit down in it. René-Jean was the horse. Gros-Alain was the driver.
But the driver did not understand his business, the horse had to teach him.
René-Jean cried to Gros-Alain,—
"Say, 'Go along.'"
"Go 'long!" repeated Gros-Alain.
The wagon upset. Georgette tumbled out. Angels can scream. Georgette screamed.
Then she felt half inclined to cry.
"Young lady," said René-Jean, "you are too big."
