He made of his son--a sensible and intelligent boy--a machine to copy documents, and spend his days guessing the conundrums in the illustrated newspapers, which he read as easily as M.Ledrain would decipher the cuneiform inscriptions on an Assyrian brick.

Also--an admirable result, which should rejoice the old watch-maker's shade--his son had become a gentleman, a functionary, so splendidly remunerated by the State that he was obliged to wear patches of cloth, as near like the trousers as possible, on their seat; and his poor young wife, during her life, had always been obliged, as rent-day drew near, to carry the soup-ladle and six silver covers to the pawn-shop.
At all events, M.Violette was a widower now, and being busy all day was very much embarrassed with the care of his little son.

His neighbors, the Gerards, were very kind to Amedee, and continued to keep him with them all the afternoon.

This state of affairs could not always continue, and M.Violette hesitated to abuse his worthy friends' kindness in that way.
However, Amedee gave them little trouble, and Mamma Gerard loved him as if he were her own.

The orphan was now inseparable from little Maria, a perfect little witch, who became prettier every day.