1
00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:07,040
Speaker 1: The Lost Child by Francois Coupe. On that morning, which

2
00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:12,039
was the morning before Christmas, two important events happened simultaneously.

3
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,239
The sun rose, and so did Monsieur Jean Baptist to

4
00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:21,920
go to Fois. Unquestionably, the sun, illuminating suddenly the whole

5
00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:25,679
of Paris with its morning rays, is an old friend,

6
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:31,000
regarded with affection by everybody. It is particularly welcome after

7
00:00:31,039 --> 00:00:35,039
a fortnight of misty atmosphere and gray skies, when the

8
00:00:35,079 --> 00:00:38,280
wind has cleared the air and allowed the sun's rays

9
00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:42,039
to reach the earth again. Besides all of which, the

10
00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,799
Sun is a person of importance. Formerly he was regarded

11
00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:51,079
as a god and was called Osiris Apollyon. And I

12
00:00:51,119 --> 00:00:55,000
don't know what else. But do not imagine that because

13
00:00:55,039 --> 00:00:58,600
the Sun is so important, he is of greater influence

14
00:00:58,679 --> 00:01:04,000
than Monsieur Jean Papin Tiste Gordo froit, millionaire, banker, director

15
00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:09,640
of the Compteoi General du Tredi, administrator of several big companies,

16
00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,840
Deputy and member of the General Council of the Eure,

17
00:01:14,519 --> 00:01:18,319
Officer of the Legion of Honor, et cetera, et cetera.

18
00:01:19,599 --> 00:01:23,560
And whatever opinion the son may have about himself. He

19
00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,599
certainly has not a higher opinion than Monsieur Jean Baptiste

20
00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:32,840
Gordo Froy has of himself. So we are authorized to state,

21
00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,480
and we consider ourselves justified in stating that on the

22
00:01:37,519 --> 00:01:41,040
morning in question, at about a quarter to eight, the

23
00:01:41,159 --> 00:01:47,680
son and Monsieur Jean Baptiste Gordo Froit rose. Certainly the

24
00:01:47,719 --> 00:01:51,200
manner of rising of these two great powers mentioned was

25
00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:55,120
not the same. The good old son began by doing

26
00:01:55,159 --> 00:01:59,519
a great many pretty actions. As the sleet had during

27
00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:02,519
the night covered the bare branches of the trees in

28
00:02:02,599 --> 00:02:06,879
the Bouvard Mailllp where the Hotel gour de Foi is situated,

29
00:02:07,359 --> 00:02:11,759
with a powdered coating, the great Magician's son amused himself

30
00:02:11,879 --> 00:02:15,960
by transforming the branches into great bouquets of red coral.

31
00:02:17,199 --> 00:02:20,280
At the same time he scattered his rais impartially on

32
00:02:20,439 --> 00:02:24,879
those poor passers by whom necessity sent out so early

33
00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:29,039
in the morning to gain their daily bread. He even

34
00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,039
had a smile for the poor clerk, who, in a

35
00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,520
thin overcoat was hurrying to his office, as well as

36
00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:41,599
for the grisette shivering under her thin insufficient clothing. For

37
00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,520
the workmen carrying half a loaf under his arm, for

38
00:02:45,599 --> 00:02:49,159
the car conductor as he punched the tickets, and for

39
00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:53,759
the dealer in roast chestnuts who was roasting his first panful.

40
00:02:54,759 --> 00:02:58,639
In short, the sun gave pleasure to everybody in the world.

41
00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,479
Monsieur Jean Baptiste Goudoufroy, on the contrary, rose in quite

42
00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:08,199
a different frame of mind. On the previous evening he

43
00:03:08,319 --> 00:03:12,439
had dined with the Minister of Agriculture. The dinner from

44
00:03:12,479 --> 00:03:16,840
the removal of the portage to the salad bristled with truffles,

45
00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:21,759
and the banker's stomach, aged forty seven years, experienced the

46
00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:27,080
burning and biting of pyrosis. So the manner in which

47
00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:31,000
Monsieur Jean Baptiste Gudufoyd rang for his valet de Champre

48
00:03:31,599 --> 00:03:35,280
was so expressive that, as he got some warm water

49
00:03:35,439 --> 00:03:39,120
for his master's shaving, Charles said to the kitchen maid,

50
00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:45,319
there he goes the monkeys barbarously ill tempered again this morning,

51
00:03:46,039 --> 00:03:51,400
My poor Gertrude were going to have a miserable day. Whereupon,

52
00:03:51,639 --> 00:03:56,319
walking on tiptoe, with eyes modestly cast down, he entered

53
00:03:56,319 --> 00:04:00,599
the chamber of his master, opened the curtains, lit the fire,

54
00:04:01,159 --> 00:04:04,960
and made all the necessary preparations for the toilet, with

55
00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:09,800
the discreet demeanor and respectful gestures of a sacristan, placing

56
00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:14,039
the sacred vessels on the altar for the priest. What

57
00:04:14,159 --> 00:04:18,680
sort of weather this morning, demanded Monsieur Gordofoit curtly, as

58
00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,920
he buttoned his undervest of grace, worn down upon a

59
00:04:21,959 --> 00:04:27,040
stomach that was already a little too prominent. Very cold, sir,

60
00:04:27,639 --> 00:04:31,920
replied Charles meekly. At six o'clock the thermometer marked seven

61
00:04:31,959 --> 00:04:35,800
degrees above zero. But as you will see, sir, the

62
00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,399
sky is quite clear, and I think we are going

63
00:04:38,439 --> 00:04:43,639
to have a fine morning. In stopping his razor, Monsieur

64
00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,600
gor Deefoirs approached the window, drew aside one of the hangings,

65
00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:51,519
looked on the boulevard, which was bathed in brightness, and

66
00:04:51,639 --> 00:04:55,319
made a slight grimace which bore some resemblance to a smile.

67
00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,360
It is all very well to be perfectly stiff and correct,

68
00:05:00,879 --> 00:05:03,399
and to know that it is bad taste to show

69
00:05:03,519 --> 00:05:07,240
feeling of any kind in the presence of domestics. But

70
00:05:07,319 --> 00:05:09,879
the appearance of the roguish sun in the middle of

71
00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:13,120
December sends such a glow of warmth to the heart

72
00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,680
that it is impossible to disguise the fact, so Monsieur

73
00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:22,399
go deu Fois deigned, as before observed, to smile. If

74
00:05:22,399 --> 00:05:25,759
someone had whispered to the opulent banker that his smile

75
00:05:25,879 --> 00:05:29,079
had anything in common with that of the printer's boy

76
00:05:29,519 --> 00:05:32,959
who was enjoying himself by making a slide on the pavement,

77
00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,639
Monsieur godu Fraar would have been highly incensed. But it

78
00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:41,000
really was so all the same. And during the space

79
00:05:41,079 --> 00:05:44,639
of one minute, this man, who was so occupied by

80
00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:49,240
business matters, this leading light in the financial and political

81
00:05:49,319 --> 00:05:54,079
worlds indulged in the childish pastime of watching the passers

82
00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:58,600
by and following with his eyes the files of conveyances

83
00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:03,439
as they gaily rolled in the sunshine. But pray do

84
00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:07,279
not be alarmed. Such a weakness could not last long.

85
00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,319
People of no account and those who have nothing to do,

86
00:06:11,879 --> 00:06:14,439
may be able to let their time slip by in

87
00:06:14,519 --> 00:06:19,279
doing nothing. It is very well for women, children, poets

88
00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:24,600
and refraff Monsieur Gourdoufoy had other fish to fry, and

89
00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,079
the work of the day which was commencing, promised to

90
00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,680
be exceptionally heavy. From half past eight to ten o'clock

91
00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:35,839
he had a meeting at his office with a certain

92
00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:40,120
number of gentlemen, all of whom bore a striking resemblance

93
00:06:40,199 --> 00:06:44,360
to Monsieur gourdou Frooits like him, they were very nervous,

94
00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,000
they had risen with the sun. They were all blassie,

95
00:06:48,759 --> 00:06:51,920
and they had all the same object in view, to

96
00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,600
gain money. After breakfast, which he took after the meeting,

97
00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,560
Monsieur gourdou Foy had to leap into his carriage rushed

98
00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,800
to the bours to exchange a few words with other

99
00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,720
gentlemen who had also risen at dawn, but who had

100
00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:12,319
not the least spark of imagination. Among them, the conversations

101
00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:17,439
were always on the same subject money. From there, without

102
00:07:17,519 --> 00:07:21,759
losing an instant, Monsieur Gurroufoir went to preside over another

103
00:07:21,839 --> 00:07:27,279
meeting of acquaintances. Entirely void of compassion and tenderness. The

104
00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,800
meeting was held round a base covered table which was

105
00:07:30,879 --> 00:07:35,519
strewn with heaps of papers and well provided with ink wells.

106
00:07:36,319 --> 00:07:40,480
The conversation again turned on money and various methods of

107
00:07:40,519 --> 00:07:46,160
gaining it. After the aforesaid meeting, he, in his capacity

108
00:07:46,199 --> 00:07:51,199
of deputy, had to appear before several commissions, always held

109
00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,439
in rooms where there were base covered tables and ink

110
00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:58,959
wells and heaps of papers. There he found men as

111
00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:03,199
devoid of sentiment, and as he was all utterly incapable

112
00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:07,720
of neglecting any occasion of gaining money, but who nevertheless

113
00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,639
had the extreme goodness to sacrifice several hours of the

114
00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:17,959
afternoon to the glory of France. After having quickly shaved,

115
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,439
he donned the morning suit, the elegant cut and finish

116
00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:25,160
of which showed that the old bow of nearly fifty

117
00:08:25,639 --> 00:08:29,839
had not ceased trying to please. When he shaved, he

118
00:08:29,879 --> 00:08:33,279
spared the narrow strip of pepper and salt beard round

119
00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:36,000
his chin, as it gave him the air of a

120
00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:40,200
trustworthy family man in the eyes of the arrogance and

121
00:08:40,279 --> 00:08:44,600
of fools in general. Then he descended to his cabinet,

122
00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:48,039
where he received the file of men who were entirely

123
00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:53,879
occupied by one thought that of augmenting their capital. These

124
00:08:53,960 --> 00:09:00,000
gentlemen discussed several projected enterprises, all of them of considerable importance,

125
00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,120
notably that of a new railroad to be laid across

126
00:09:04,159 --> 00:09:08,279
a wild desert. Another scheme was for the founding of

127
00:09:08,399 --> 00:09:12,559
monster works in the environs of Paris, another of a

128
00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:16,240
mine to be worked in one of the South American republics.

129
00:09:17,159 --> 00:09:20,120
It goes without saying that no one asked if the

130
00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:24,240
railroad would have passengers or goods to carry, or if

131
00:09:24,279 --> 00:09:29,200
the proposed works should manufacture cotton, night caps or distill whiskey,

132
00:09:29,879 --> 00:09:32,519
whether the mine was to be of virgin gold or

133
00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:38,000
of second rate copper, certainly not. The conversation of Monsieur

134
00:09:38,039 --> 00:09:42,399
go de Foi's morning callers turned exclusively upon the profits

135
00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,559
which it would be possible to realize during the week

136
00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:49,759
which should follow the issue of the shares. They discussed,

137
00:09:49,799 --> 00:09:53,559
particularly the values of the shares, which they knew would

138
00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,399
be destined before long to be worth less than the

139
00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:02,679
paper on which they were printed. In fine style. These conversations,

140
00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:07,559
bristling with figures, lasted till ten o'clock precisely, and then

141
00:10:07,759 --> 00:10:11,840
the director of the Comteoi, General du Gredi, who by

142
00:10:11,919 --> 00:10:15,639
the way was an honest man, at least as honest

143
00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,480
as is to be found in business, courteously conducted his

144
00:10:19,639 --> 00:10:23,360
last visitor to the head of the stairway. The visitor

145
00:10:23,519 --> 00:10:27,840
named was an old villain as rich as Creases, who

146
00:10:27,919 --> 00:10:31,879
by a not uncommon chance, enjoyed the general esteem of

147
00:10:31,919 --> 00:10:36,200
the public. Whereas, had justice been done to him, he

148
00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,919
would have been lodging at the expense of the state

149
00:10:39,399 --> 00:10:42,919
in one of those large establishments provided by a thoughtful

150
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:47,559
government for smaller delinquents, and there he would have pursued

151
00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:51,639
a useful and healthy calling for a lengthy period, the

152
00:10:51,759 --> 00:10:54,720
exact length having been fixed by the judges of the

153
00:10:54,759 --> 00:11:01,279
Supreme Court. But Monsieur Gurroufoire showed him out relentlessly, notwithstanding

154
00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:05,120
his importance, it was absolutely necessary to be at the

155
00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:09,039
boor set eleven o'clock, and went into the dining room.

156
00:11:10,279 --> 00:11:14,279
It was a luxuriously furnished room. The furniture and plate

157
00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:19,600
would have served to endow a cathedral. Nevertheless, notwithstanding that

158
00:11:19,639 --> 00:11:23,799
Monsieur Goudoufoyd took a gulp of bicarbonate of soda, his

159
00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:29,399
indigestion refused to subside. Consequently, the banker could only take

160
00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:34,720
the scantiest breakfast, that of a dyspeptic. In the midst

161
00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,519
of such luxury, and under the eye of a well

162
00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:41,399
paid butler, Monsieur Gourroufoy could only eat a couple of

163
00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:45,360
boiled eggs and nibble a little mutton chop. The man

164
00:11:45,399 --> 00:11:49,720
of money trifled with dessert, took only a crumb of roquefort,

165
00:11:50,279 --> 00:11:54,519
not more than two cents worth. Then the door opened,

166
00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:59,159
and an overdressed but charming little child, young Raoul, four

167
00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:03,519
years old, the son of the company director, entered the room,

168
00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:09,320
accompanied by his German nursery governess. This event occurred every

169
00:12:09,399 --> 00:12:13,240
day at the same hour, a quarter to eleven, precisely

170
00:12:13,799 --> 00:12:16,360
while the carriage which was to take the banker to

171
00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,519
the boers was awaiting the gentleman, who had only a

172
00:12:19,639 --> 00:12:23,840
quarter of an hour to give to paternal sentiment. It

173
00:12:23,879 --> 00:12:26,559
was not that he did not love his son. He

174
00:12:26,639 --> 00:12:30,840
did love him. Nay, he adored him in his own

175
00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:37,879
particular way. But then you know, business is business. At

176
00:12:37,919 --> 00:12:41,919
the age of forty two, when already worldly wise and blaise,

177
00:12:42,639 --> 00:12:45,559
he had fancied himself in love with the daughter of

178
00:12:45,639 --> 00:12:49,279
one of his club friends, Marquis de ne Fontaine, an

179
00:12:49,279 --> 00:12:53,519
old rascal, a nobleman, but one whose current playing was

180
00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,759
more than open to suspicion, and who would have been

181
00:12:56,799 --> 00:13:00,080
expelled from the club more than once. But for the

182
00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:04,200
influence of Monsieur Gour deu Frooit, the nobleman was only

183
00:13:04,279 --> 00:13:06,759
too happy to become the father in law of a

184
00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:10,679
man who would pay his debts, and without any scruples,

185
00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:15,039
he handed over his daughter, a simple and ingenious girl

186
00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:18,480
of seventeen, who was taken from a convent to be

187
00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:23,480
married to the world the banker. The girl was certainly

188
00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:27,559
sweet and pretty, but he had no dowry except numerous

189
00:13:27,639 --> 00:13:32,679
aristocratic prejudices and romantic illusions, and her father thought he

190
00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,440
was fortunate in getting rid of her on such favorable terms.

191
00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:40,080
Monsieur gour deu Foit, who was the son of an

192
00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:44,320
avowed old miser of Antelis, had always remained a man

193
00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:48,440
of the people and intensely vulgar. In spite of his

194
00:13:48,519 --> 00:13:53,799
improved circumstances, he had not improved his entire lack of

195
00:13:53,919 --> 00:13:57,759
tact and refinement was painful to his young wife, whose

196
00:13:57,879 --> 00:14:03,559
tenderest feelings he ruthlessly and thoughtlessly trampled upon. Things were

197
00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:09,480
looking unpromising when happily for her, Madame Gordofroy died in

198
00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,159
giving birth to her first born. When he spoke of

199
00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:18,200
his deceased wife, the banker waxed poetical, although had she lived,

200
00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:22,120
they would have been divorced in six months his son.

201
00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:26,759
He loved dearly for several reasons, first because the child

202
00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,600
was an only son. Secondly because he was a sky

203
00:14:30,679 --> 00:14:35,720
in of two such houses as Gordofroy and Neufontaine. Finally,

204
00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:39,240
because the man of money had naturally great respect for

205
00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:43,799
the heir to many millions. So the youngster had golden

206
00:14:43,919 --> 00:14:47,759
rattles and other similar toys, and was brought up like

207
00:14:47,799 --> 00:14:52,679
a young dauphin. But his father, overwhelmed with business worries,

208
00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,919
could never give the child more than fifteen minutes per

209
00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:00,000
day of his precious time. And as on the day mentioned,

210
00:15:00,039 --> 00:15:03,799
and it was always during cheese and for the rest

211
00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:06,559
of the day, the father abandoned the child to the

212
00:15:06,679 --> 00:15:13,039
care of the serpents. Good morning, Raoul, Good morning Papa,

213
00:15:13,559 --> 00:15:17,759
and the company director, having put his serviette away, set

214
00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,120
young Raoul on his left knee, took the child's head

215
00:15:21,159 --> 00:15:24,919
between his big paws, and in stoking and kissing it,

216
00:15:25,159 --> 00:15:29,159
actually forgot all his money matters, and even his note

217
00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,240
of the afternoon, which was of great importance to him,

218
00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,679
as by it he could gain quite an important amount

219
00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:43,080
of patronage. Papa said little Raoul suddenly will father Christmas,

220
00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:47,320
put anything in my shoe to night. The father answered

221
00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:52,919
with yes, if you are a good child. This was

222
00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,200
very striking from a man who was a pronounced tree thinker,

223
00:15:56,679 --> 00:16:00,960
who always applauded every anti clerical attack the chamber with

224
00:16:01,039 --> 00:16:05,720
a vigorous Here here he made a mental note that

225
00:16:05,799 --> 00:16:09,360
he must buy some toys for his child that very afternoon.

226
00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:14,440
Then he turned to the nursery governess with are you

227
00:16:14,559 --> 00:16:20,480
quite satisfied with Raoul? Mademoiselle Berta. Mademoiselle Berta became as

228
00:16:20,519 --> 00:16:23,639
red as a pioneer at being addressed, as if the

229
00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:27,759
question was scarcely. Comille fought and replied by a little

230
00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:33,120
imbecile snigger, which seemed fully to satisfy Monsieur Gorovoit's curiosity

231
00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:38,679
about his son's conduct. It's fine to day, said the financier,

232
00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:43,559
but cold if you take Raoul to Monsau Park, Mademoiselle,

233
00:16:43,879 --> 00:16:48,360
please be careful to wrap him up well. Mademoiselle, by

234
00:16:48,399 --> 00:16:51,840
a second fit of idiotic smiling, having set at rest

235
00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:55,600
Monsieur goro Foit's doubts and fears on that essential point,

236
00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:59,879
he kissed his child, left the room hastily, and in

237
00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,080
the hall was enveloped in his fur coat by Charles,

238
00:17:03,519 --> 00:17:08,160
who also closed the carriage door. Then the faithful fellow

239
00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,279
went off to the cafe which he frequented, Rue de

240
00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,559
Miro Menille, where he had promised to meet the coachman

241
00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,640
of the Baroness, who leved opposite to play a game

242
00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:25,119
of billiards thirty up and spot barred, of course, thanks

243
00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:28,599
to the brown bay, for which a thousand francs over

244
00:17:28,759 --> 00:17:31,680
and above its value was paid by Monsieur gur deu

245
00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:35,680
Fois as a result of a sumptuous snail supper given

246
00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:40,000
to that gentleman's coachman by the horse dealer. Thanks to

247
00:17:40,039 --> 00:17:44,599
the expensive brown bay, which certainly went well, the financier

248
00:17:44,799 --> 00:17:49,200
was able to get through his many engagements satisfactorily. He

249
00:17:49,279 --> 00:17:53,640
appeared punctually at the Bourse, sat at several committee tables

250
00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,480
and at a quarter to five. By voting with the Ministry,

251
00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,400
he helped to reassure France and Europe that the rumors

252
00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:06,839
of a ministerial crisis had been totally unfounded. He voted

253
00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:10,000
with the Ministry because he had succeeded in obtaining the

254
00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:14,319
favors which he demanded as the price of his vote.

255
00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:18,559
After he had thus nobly fulfilled his duty to himself

256
00:18:18,839 --> 00:18:22,799
and his country. Monsieur go Defoarre remembered what he had

257
00:18:22,839 --> 00:18:26,000
said to his child on the subject of Father Christmas,

258
00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,680
and gave the coachman the address of a dealer in toys.

259
00:18:30,599 --> 00:18:33,960
There he bought and had put in his carriage a

260
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:39,119
fantastic rocking horse mounted on casters, a whip in each ear,

261
00:18:39,599 --> 00:18:43,880
a box of laden soldiers, all as exactly alike as

262
00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,160
those grenadiers of the Russian regiment of the time of

263
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:51,480
Paul I, who all had black hair and snub noses,

264
00:18:52,279 --> 00:18:57,839
and a score of other toys, all equally striking and costly. Then,

265
00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:02,440
as he returned home, softly reposing in his well swun carriage,

266
00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:07,119
the rich banker, who after all was a father, began

267
00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,079
to think with pride of his little boy and to

268
00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:14,599
form plans for his future. When the child grew up,

269
00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:18,039
he should have an education worthy of a prince, and

270
00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,240
he would be one two, for there was no longer

271
00:19:21,319 --> 00:19:25,920
any aristocracy except that of money, and his boy would

272
00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:31,240
have a capital of about eighty million francs. If his father,

273
00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:35,440
a pettifogging provincial lawyer who had formerly dined in the

274
00:19:35,519 --> 00:19:39,720
Latin Quarter when in Paris, who had remarked every evening,

275
00:19:39,839 --> 00:19:42,559
when putting on a white tie, that he looked as

276
00:19:42,599 --> 00:19:45,680
fine as if he were going to a wedding. If

277
00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:49,640
he had been able to accumulate an enormous fortune and

278
00:19:49,759 --> 00:19:53,519
to become thereby a power in the republic, if he

279
00:19:53,559 --> 00:19:56,519
had been able to obtain in marriage a young lady,

280
00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:01,319
one of whose ancestors had fallen at Marignas, what an

281
00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:06,279
important personage little Raoul might become. Monsieur go deu Foir

282
00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:10,559
built all sorts of air castles for his boy, forgetting

283
00:20:10,599 --> 00:20:14,400
that Christmas is the birthday of a very poor little child,

284
00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:18,319
son of a couple of vagrants, born in a stable

285
00:20:18,799 --> 00:20:24,079
where the parents only found lodging through charity. In the

286
00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:28,240
midst of the banker's dreams, the coachman cried door pleased,

287
00:20:28,799 --> 00:20:32,599
and drove into the yard. As he went up the steps,

288
00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:35,720
Monsieur go de Foir was thinking that he had barely

289
00:20:35,799 --> 00:20:39,319
time to dress for dinner, But on entering the vestibule,

290
00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,359
he found all the domestics crowded in front of him

291
00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:46,799
in a state of alarm and confusion. In a corner,

292
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,240
crouching on a seat was the German nursery governess crying.

293
00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:54,839
When she saw the banker. She buried her face in

294
00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:59,799
her hands and wept still more copiously than before. Masieur

295
00:20:59,799 --> 00:21:04,599
goru FOI felt that some misfortune had happened. What's the

296
00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:10,720
meaning of all this? What's amiss? What has happened? Charles

297
00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:14,799
the Valet de Champre, a sneaking rascal of the worst type,

298
00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:18,480
looked at his master with eyes full of pity, and stammered,

299
00:21:19,559 --> 00:21:27,680
mister Raoul, my boy lost, sir. The stupid German did it?

300
00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:31,079
Since four o'clock this afternoon, he has not been seen.

301
00:21:32,599 --> 00:21:35,400
The father staggered back like one who had been hit

302
00:21:35,519 --> 00:21:39,200
by a ball. The German threw herself at his feet,

303
00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:44,680
screaming mercy, mercy, and the domestics all spoke at the

304
00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:49,519
same time. Perta didn't go to Park Monceaux. She lost

305
00:21:49,559 --> 00:21:53,359
the child over there on the fortifications. We have sought

306
00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,240
him all over, sir. We went to the office for you, sir,

307
00:21:57,759 --> 00:22:00,519
and then to the chamber, but you had just left.

308
00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:04,799
Just imagine the German had a rendezvous with her lover

309
00:22:05,039 --> 00:22:09,119
every day beyond the ramparts near the gate of Asniere.

310
00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:13,119
What a shame. It is a place full of low

311
00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:20,279
gypsies and strolling players. Perhaps the child has been stolen, Yes, sir,

312
00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,880
we informed the police at once. How could we imagine

313
00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:28,920
such a thing? A hypocrite, that German. She had a rendezvous,

314
00:22:29,079 --> 00:22:35,039
doubtless with a countryman, a Prussian spy. Sure enough his

315
00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:39,240
son lost. Monsieur gour deu Fois seemed to have a

316
00:22:39,319 --> 00:22:43,880
torrent of blood rushing through his head. He sprang at Mademoiselle,

317
00:22:44,279 --> 00:22:48,640
seized her by the arms and shook her furiously. Where

318
00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,359
did you lose him? You miserable girl? Tell me the

319
00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,799
truth before I shake you to pieces. Do you hear?

320
00:22:56,480 --> 00:23:01,440
Do you hear? But the unfortunate girl could only cry

321
00:23:01,559 --> 00:23:07,359
and beg for mercy. The banker tried to be calm. No,

322
00:23:07,839 --> 00:23:12,200
it was impossible. Nobody would dare to steal his boy.

323
00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:16,680
Somebody would find him and bring him back. Of that,

324
00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:20,240
there could be no doubt. He could scatter money about

325
00:23:20,319 --> 00:23:23,519
right and left, and could have the entire police force

326
00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:27,240
at his orders, and he would set to work at once,

327
00:23:27,599 --> 00:23:32,200
for not an instant should be lost. Shall don't let

328
00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,759
the horses be taken out? You others see that this

329
00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:41,720
girl doesn't escape. I'm going to the prefecture. I'm going

330
00:23:41,759 --> 00:23:46,359
to the prefecture, And Monsieur guru Foir, with his heart

331
00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:49,400
thumping against his sides as if it would break them,

332
00:23:49,759 --> 00:23:54,200
his hair wild with fright, darted into his carriage, which

333
00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:56,839
at once rolled off as fast as the horses could

334
00:23:56,920 --> 00:24:02,759
take it. What irony. The carriage was full of glittering playthings,

335
00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:06,319
which sparkled every time a gas light shone on them.

336
00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:10,559
For the next day was the birthday of the divine infant,

337
00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:14,680
at whose cradle wise men and simple shepherds alike adored

338
00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:20,680
My poor little raoul, poor darling, where is my boy?

339
00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:24,839
Repeated the father. As in his anguish, he dug his

340
00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:29,599
nails into the cushions of the carriage. At that moment,

341
00:24:29,839 --> 00:24:34,680
all his titles and decorations, his honors, his millions were

342
00:24:34,799 --> 00:24:39,000
valueless to him. He had one single idea burning in

343
00:24:39,039 --> 00:24:45,839
his brain, My poor child, Where is my child? At

344
00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:49,759
last he reached the Prefecture of Police, but no one

345
00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:53,160
was there. The office had been deserted for some time.

346
00:24:54,839 --> 00:24:58,759
I am Monsieur gur deu FOI deputy from Lere. My

347
00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:02,640
little boy is lost in Paris, a child of four years.

348
00:25:03,279 --> 00:25:07,440
I must see the prefect. He slipped the Louis into

349
00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:11,799
the hand of the concierge. The good old soul, a

350
00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:15,039
veteran with a gray mustache, less for the sake of

351
00:25:15,079 --> 00:25:18,079
the money than out of compassion for the poor father,

352
00:25:18,799 --> 00:25:23,079
led him to the Prefect's private apartments. Monsieur go du

353
00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,880
Fraar was finally ushered into the room of the man

354
00:25:26,039 --> 00:25:29,680
in whom were centered all his hopes. He was in

355
00:25:29,799 --> 00:25:33,759
evening dress and wore a monocle. His manner was frigid

356
00:25:33,799 --> 00:25:39,319
and rather pretentious. The distressed father, whose knees trembled through emotion,

357
00:25:39,759 --> 00:25:44,200
sank into an arm chair, and, bursting into tears, told

358
00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,960
of the loss of his boy. Told the stories stammeringly

359
00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:52,480
and with many breaks, for his voice was choked by sobs.

360
00:25:54,079 --> 00:25:57,000
The prefect, who was also a father of a family,

361
00:25:57,599 --> 00:26:00,640
was inwardly moved at the sight of his visit grief,

362
00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,240
but he repressed his emotion and assumed a cold and

363
00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:09,279
self important air. You say, sir, that your child has

364
00:26:09,319 --> 00:26:17,079
been missing since four o'clock, yes, just when night was falling. Confounded,

365
00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,920
he isn't at all precocious, speaks very little, doesn't know

366
00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:27,160
where he lives, and can't even pronounce his own name. Unfortunately,

367
00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:33,640
that is so not far from Asnier Gate, a suspected quarter.

368
00:26:34,519 --> 00:26:37,880
But cheer up. We have a very intelligent Commissierre de

369
00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:43,599
police there. I'll telephone to him. The distressed father was

370
00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:48,119
left alone for five minutes, how his temples throbbed and

371
00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:53,880
his heart beat. Then suddenly the prefect reappeared, smiling with

372
00:26:53,960 --> 00:27:00,559
satisfaction found. Whereupon Monsieur gu de FOI rushed to the Prefect,

373
00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:04,759
whose hand he pressed till that functionary winced with the pain.

374
00:27:05,839 --> 00:27:10,240
I must acknowledge that we were exceedingly fortunate. The little

375
00:27:10,319 --> 00:27:14,359
chap is blond, isn't he rather pale? In blue velvet,

376
00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:19,440
black felt head with a white feather in it. Yes, yes,

377
00:27:19,599 --> 00:27:24,000
that's he. That's my little Raoul. Well, he's at the

378
00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,680
house of a poor fellow down in that quarter, who

379
00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:28,920
had just been at the police office to make his

380
00:27:29,039 --> 00:27:33,440
declaration to the commissaire. Here's his address, which I took

381
00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:38,680
down pieron Rue de cayeu le vay Lois Perree. With

382
00:27:38,799 --> 00:27:41,200
good horses, you may reach your boy in less than

383
00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:46,160
an hour. Certainly you won't find him in an aristocratic quarter.

384
00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:50,200
His surrounding swampy of the highest. The man who found

385
00:27:50,279 --> 00:27:55,240
him is only a small dealer in vegetables, but that

386
00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:59,039
was of no importance to Monsieur guru Foit, who, having

387
00:27:59,079 --> 00:28:03,160
expressed his attitude to the Prefect, leaped down the stairs

388
00:28:03,279 --> 00:28:07,640
for at a time and sprang into his carriage. At

389
00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:11,640
that moment he realized how devotedly he loved his child.

390
00:28:12,759 --> 00:28:15,319
As he drove away, he no longer thought of little

391
00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:22,000
Raoul's princely education and magnificent inheritance. He was decided never

392
00:28:22,079 --> 00:28:25,160
again to hand over the child entirely to the hands

393
00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:28,240
of servants, and he also made up his mind to

394
00:28:28,319 --> 00:28:32,240
devote less time to monetary matters and the glory of France,

395
00:28:32,799 --> 00:28:36,960
and attend more to his own. The thought also occurred

396
00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:40,200
to him that Franz wouldn't be likely to suffer from

397
00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:44,279
the neglect. He had hitherto been ashamed to recognize the

398
00:28:44,319 --> 00:28:48,160
existence of an old maid, sister of his father, but

399
00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:51,599
he decided to send for her to his house. She

400
00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:56,200
would certainly shock his lackeys by her primitive manners and ideas,

401
00:28:56,599 --> 00:29:00,440
but what of that she would take care of him boy,

402
00:29:00,839 --> 00:29:03,440
which to him was of much more importance than the

403
00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:08,279
good opinion of his servants. The financier who was always

404
00:29:08,319 --> 00:29:12,119
in a hurry, never felt so eager to arrive punctually

405
00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,079
at a committee meeting as he was to reach the

406
00:29:15,119 --> 00:29:18,640
lost little one. For the first time in his life.

407
00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:22,279
He was longing, through pure affection, to take the child

408
00:29:22,359 --> 00:29:28,039
in his arms. The carriage rolled rapidly along in the clear,

409
00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:32,920
crisp night air down Boulevard Malelb, and, having crossed the

410
00:29:33,039 --> 00:29:37,319
ramparts and passed the large houses, plunged into the quiet

411
00:29:37,359 --> 00:29:42,880
solitude of suburban streets. When the carriage stopped, Monsieur Gurroufoir

412
00:29:43,079 --> 00:29:46,119
saw a wretched hovel on which was the number he

413
00:29:46,279 --> 00:29:50,720
was seeking. It was the house where Pieron lived. The

414
00:29:50,759 --> 00:29:54,359
door of the house opened immediately and a big, rough

415
00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:58,839
looking fellow with red mustache appeared. One of his sleeves

416
00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:03,839
was empty. Seeing the gentleman in the carriage, Pieron said cheerily,

417
00:30:04,839 --> 00:30:08,200
so you are the little one's father. Don't be afraid,

418
00:30:08,759 --> 00:30:13,200
the little darling is quite safe, and stepping aside in

419
00:30:13,359 --> 00:30:16,319
order to allow Monsieur go de Foy to pass, he

420
00:30:16,359 --> 00:30:20,480
placed his finger on his lips with hush, the little

421
00:30:20,519 --> 00:30:25,720
one is asleep. Yes, it was a real hovel. By

422
00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:29,119
the dim light of a little oil lamp. Monsieur Goroufroy

423
00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:32,960
could just distinguish a dresser from which a drawer was missing,

424
00:30:33,519 --> 00:30:37,400
some broken chairs, a round table on which stood a

425
00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:42,039
beer mug which was half empty, three glasses, some cold

426
00:30:42,119 --> 00:30:45,039
meat on a plate, and on the bare plaster of

427
00:30:45,119 --> 00:30:49,039
the wall. Two gaudy pictures, A bird's eye view of

428
00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:52,799
the Exposition of eighteen eighty nine with the Eiffel Tower

429
00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:57,240
in bright blue, and the portrait of General boulangeis when

430
00:30:57,240 --> 00:31:01,839
a handsome young lieutenant his last evidence of weakness of

431
00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:05,519
the tenant of the house may well be excused since

432
00:31:05,519 --> 00:31:09,759
it was shared by nearly everybody in France. The man

433
00:31:09,799 --> 00:31:12,480
took the lamp and went on tiptoe to the corner

434
00:31:12,519 --> 00:31:15,960
of the room, where on a clean bed, two little

435
00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:20,319
fellows were fast asleep. In the little one around whom

436
00:31:20,359 --> 00:31:23,599
the other had thrown a protecting arm. Monsieur go de

437
00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:29,079
Froy recognized his son. The youngsters were tired to death

438
00:31:29,359 --> 00:31:34,480
and so sleepy, said Pieron, trying to soften his rough voice.

439
00:31:35,319 --> 00:31:37,880
I had no idea when you would come, so gave

440
00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:41,000
them some supper and put them to bed, and then

441
00:31:41,039 --> 00:31:43,720
I went to make a declaration at the police office.

442
00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:47,920
Sidor generally sleeps up in the garret, but I thought

443
00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:50,200
they would be better here, and that I should be

444
00:31:50,200 --> 00:31:55,680
better able to watch them. Monsieur gourou Foy, however, scarcely

445
00:31:55,759 --> 00:31:59,640
heard the explanation strangely moved. He looked at the two

446
00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:03,400
sleeps infants on an iron bedstead and covered with an

447
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:07,279
old blanket which had once been used either in barracks

448
00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:12,160
or hospital. Little Raoul, who was still in his velvet suit,

449
00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:16,680
looked so frail and delicate compared with his companion that

450
00:32:16,759 --> 00:32:21,759
the banker almost envied the latter his brown complexion. Is

451
00:32:21,759 --> 00:32:27,400
he your boy, he asked. Pieron No answered he I

452
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:30,599
am a bachelor, and don't suppose I shall ever marry

453
00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:34,400
because of my accident. You see a dray passed over

454
00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:38,160
my arm. That was all two years ago. A neighbor

455
00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:41,880
of mine died when that child was only five years old.

456
00:32:42,319 --> 00:32:46,279
The poor mother really died of starvation. She wove wreaths

457
00:32:46,359 --> 00:32:49,960
for the cemeteries, but could make nothing worth mentioning at

458
00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:54,599
that trade, not enough to live. However, she worked for

459
00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,519
the child for five years, and then the neighbors had

460
00:32:57,519 --> 00:33:01,119
to buy wreaths for her. So I took care of

461
00:33:01,200 --> 00:33:04,400
the youngster. Oh it was nothing much, and I was

462
00:33:04,440 --> 00:33:07,839
soon repaid. He is seven years old and is a

463
00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:10,680
sharp little fellow. So he helps me a great deal

464
00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:15,200
on Sundays and Thursdays and the other days after school

465
00:33:15,599 --> 00:33:18,880
he helps me push my hand card. Sidor is a

466
00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:22,400
smart little chap. It was he who found your boy,

467
00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:29,680
what exclaimed monsieur guru foir that child. Oh he's quite

468
00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:32,920
a little man, I assure you. When he left school

469
00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:36,079
he found your child, who was walking on ahead, crying

470
00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:39,799
like a fountain. He spoke to him and comforted him

471
00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:44,240
like an old grandfather. The difficulty is that one can't

472
00:33:44,279 --> 00:33:48,400
easily understand what your little one says. English words are

473
00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:52,000
mixed up with German and French, so we couldn't get

474
00:33:52,119 --> 00:33:54,920
much out of him, nor could we learn his address.

475
00:33:55,799 --> 00:33:59,480
Sidor brought him to me. I wasn't far away, And

476
00:33:59,519 --> 00:34:01,880
then all the old women in the place came round,

477
00:34:02,039 --> 00:34:06,200
chattering and croaking like so many frogs, and all full

478
00:34:06,200 --> 00:34:11,039
of advice. Take him to the police, said some. But

479
00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:15,960
Zidoor protested, that would scare him, said he, For like

480
00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,239
all Parisians, he has no particular liking for the police.

481
00:34:20,039 --> 00:34:23,599
And besides, your little one didn't wish to leave him,

482
00:34:23,679 --> 00:34:26,079
so I came back here with the child as soon

483
00:34:26,119 --> 00:34:29,639
as I could. They had supper and then off to bed.

484
00:34:30,559 --> 00:34:35,199
Don't they look sweet? When he was in his carriage,

485
00:34:35,320 --> 00:34:38,320
Monsieur go de Foi had decided to reward the finder

486
00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:41,719
of his child handsomely, to give him a handful of

487
00:34:41,719 --> 00:34:45,880
that gold so easily gained. Since entering the house, he

488
00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:48,360
had seen a sight of human nature with which he

489
00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:52,719
was formerly unacquainted. The brave charity of the poor in

490
00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:56,320
their misery, the courage of the poor girl who had

491
00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:59,920
worked herself to death weaving wreaths to keep her child,

492
00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:04,079
the generosity of the poor cripple in adopting the orphan,

493
00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:08,480
and above all, the intelligent goodness of the little street

494
00:35:08,599 --> 00:35:12,599
Arab in protecting the child, who was still smaller than himself.

495
00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:16,360
All this touched Monsieur go de Foy deeply and set

496
00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:20,159
him reflecting, for the thought had occurred to him that

497
00:35:20,239 --> 00:35:22,840
there were other cripples who needed to be looked after,

498
00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:27,280
as well as Pieron, and other orphans as well as Sidor.

499
00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:30,960
He also debated whether it would not be better to

500
00:35:31,039 --> 00:35:35,079
employ his time looking after them, and whether money might

501
00:35:35,159 --> 00:35:38,639
not be put to a better use than merely gaining money.

502
00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:42,400
Such was his reverie as he stood looking at the

503
00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:46,719
two sleeping children. Finally, he turned round to study the

504
00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:50,280
features of the greengrocer, and was charmed by the loyal

505
00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:53,239
expression in the face of the man and his clear,

506
00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:59,239
truthful eyes. My friend said, monsieur go de Froy, you

507
00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,599
and your adoption that son have rendered me an immense service.

508
00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:06,239
I shall soon prove to you that I am not ungrateful.

509
00:36:07,039 --> 00:36:09,480
But for to day I see that you are not

510
00:36:09,559 --> 00:36:13,079
in comfortable circumstances, and I should like to leave a

511
00:36:13,119 --> 00:36:17,239
small proof of my thankfulness. But the hand of the

512
00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:20,719
cripple arrested that of the banker, which was diving into

513
00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:24,800
his coat pocket where he kept bank notes. No, sir,

514
00:36:25,159 --> 00:36:28,760
no anybody else should have done just as we have done.

515
00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:35,320
I will not accept any recompense, but pray, don't take offense. Certainly,

516
00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:38,559
I am not rolling in wealth, but please excuse my

517
00:36:38,719 --> 00:36:42,840
pride that of an old soldier. I have the Tonquin medal,

518
00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:46,119
and I don't wish to eat food which I haven't earned,

519
00:36:47,519 --> 00:36:51,480
as you like, said the financier. But an old soldier

520
00:36:51,639 --> 00:36:54,599
like you is capable of something better. You are too

521
00:36:54,679 --> 00:36:57,480
good to push a hand cart. I will make some

522
00:36:57,639 --> 00:37:02,400
arrangement for you. Never fear. The cripple responded with a

523
00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:07,199
quiet smile and said coldly, Well, sir, if you really

524
00:37:07,199 --> 00:37:11,039
wish to do something for me, you'll let me care

525
00:37:11,119 --> 00:37:14,880
for Sidor won't you? Cried Monsieur go de Foy eagerly

526
00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:20,840
that I will was the greatest of pleasure, responded Pieron joyfully.

527
00:37:21,599 --> 00:37:24,840
I have often thought about the child's future. He is

528
00:37:24,880 --> 00:37:28,320
a sharp little fellow. His teachers are delighted with him.

529
00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:34,239
Then Pieron suddenly stopped, and an expression came over his face,

530
00:37:34,360 --> 00:37:37,239
which Monsieur go de Foy had once interpreted as one

531
00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:42,119
of distrust. The thought evidently was, Oh, when he has

532
00:37:42,159 --> 00:37:46,800
once left us, he'll forget us entirely. You can safely

533
00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:49,039
pick the child up in your arms and take him

534
00:37:49,039 --> 00:37:52,079
to the carriage. He'll be better at home than here,

535
00:37:52,360 --> 00:37:56,000
of course. Oh, you needn't be afraid of disturbing him.

536
00:37:56,280 --> 00:37:58,920
He's fast asleep, and you can just pick him up.

537
00:37:59,559 --> 00:38:05,079
He must have his shoes on first, though. Following Pieron's glance,

538
00:38:05,239 --> 00:38:07,920
Monsieur gou deu Foy perceived on the hearth where a

539
00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:12,559
scanty coke fire was dying out two pairs of children's shoes,

540
00:38:13,159 --> 00:38:16,679
the elegant ones of Raoul and the rough ones of Sidor.

541
00:38:17,519 --> 00:38:20,519
Each pear contained a little toy and a package of

542
00:38:20,599 --> 00:38:25,360
bon bonds. Don't think about that, said Pieron in an

543
00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:29,960
abashed tone. Sidor put the shoes there. You know, children

544
00:38:30,039 --> 00:38:34,239
still believing Christmas and the child Jesus. Whatever scholars may

545
00:38:34,280 --> 00:38:38,679
say about fables. So as I came back from the Commissaire,

546
00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:41,119
as I didn't know whether your boy would have to

547
00:38:41,159 --> 00:38:44,320
stay here to night, I got those things for them both,

548
00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:49,119
at which the eyes of Monsieur gou deu foits, the freethinker,

549
00:38:49,599 --> 00:38:54,039
the hardened capitalist and blasis man of the world, filled

550
00:38:54,039 --> 00:38:58,880
with tears. He rushed out of the house, but returned

551
00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:01,440
in a minute with his arms full of the superb

552
00:39:01,559 --> 00:39:05,760
mechanical horse, the box of leaden soldiers, and the rest

553
00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:09,039
of the costly playthings bought by him in the afternoon,

554
00:39:09,559 --> 00:39:13,079
and which had not even been taken out of the carriage.

555
00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:17,639
My friend, my dear friend, said he to the greengrocer.

556
00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:21,679
See these are the presents which Christmas has brought to

557
00:39:21,719 --> 00:39:25,039
my little Daoul. I want him to find them here

558
00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:28,719
when he awakens, and to share them with Sidor, who

559
00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:33,400
will henceforth be his playmate and friend. You'll trust me, now,

560
00:39:33,519 --> 00:39:37,239
won't you. I'll take care both of Sidor and of you,

561
00:39:38,039 --> 00:39:40,599
and then I shall ever remain in your debt. For

562
00:39:40,719 --> 00:39:43,559
not only have you found my boy, but you have

563
00:39:43,679 --> 00:39:47,880
also reminded me, who am rich and lived only for myself,

564
00:39:48,519 --> 00:39:51,119
that there are other poor who need to be looked after.

565
00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:55,800
I swear by these two sleeping children, I won't forget

566
00:39:55,800 --> 00:40:01,039
them any longer. Such is the mirror which happened on

567
00:40:01,119 --> 00:40:04,360
the twenty fourth of December of last year, Ladies and

568
00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:08,840
gentlemen at Paris. In the full flow of modern egotism,

569
00:40:09,840 --> 00:40:13,639
it doesn't sound likely that I own and I am

570
00:40:13,679 --> 00:40:17,599
compelled to attribute this miraculous event to the influence of

571
00:40:17,679 --> 00:40:21,559
the divine Child, who came down to earth nearly nineteen

572
00:40:21,639 --> 00:40:28,280
centuries ago to command men to love one another. End

573
00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:31,760
of the Lost Child by Francois Cope