It was after she had taken me as her son that she found him somewhere, a drunkard, and married him, to her great misfortune.

He beat her--I tell you, my skin almost burst with terror." The mother felt herself disarmed by his openness.

Moreover, it occurred to her that perhaps her son would be displeased with her harsh reply to this odd personage.

Smiling guiltily she said: "I am not angry, but--you see--you asked so very soon.

It was my good man, God rest his soul! who treated me to the cut.