But, now, my children, I have also much to tell you; it will concern your mother; promise me not to be sad." "Be satisfied! when we think of her we are not sad, though serious." "That is well.

For fear of grieving you, I have always delayed the moment of telling what your poor mother would have confided to you as soon as you were no longer children.

But she died before she had time to do so, and that which I have to tell broke her heart--as it nearly did mine.

I put off this communication as long as I could, taking for pretext that I would say nothing till we came to the field of battle where your father was made prisoner.

That gave me time; but the moment is now come; I can shuffle it off no longer." "We listen, Dagobert," responded the two maidens, with an attentive and melancholy air.
After a moment's silence, during which he appeared to reflect, the veteran thus addressed the young girls: "Your father, General Simon, was the son of a workman, who remained a workman; for, notwithstanding all that the general could say or do, the old man was obstinate in not quitting his trade.