Do you understand?
I could not.

So if you wish me to remain you must accept the situation as his son, and we will talk of him sometimes; and you must love him a little and we must think of him when we look at each other.

If you will not do this--if you cannot--then good-bye, my child; it is impossible that we should live together.

Now, I will act by your decision." Jean replied gently: "Stay, mother." She clasped him in her arms, and her tears flowed again; then, with her face against his, she went on: "Well, but Pierre.

What can we do about Pierre ?" Jean answered: "We will find some plan! You cannot live with him any longer." At the thought of her elder son she was convulsed with terror.
"No, I cannot; no, no!" And throwing herself on Jean's breast she cried in distress of mind: "Save me from him, you, my little one.