Not to mention that they recall my native mountains to me: when they sing and dance, I seem to see our old father again." Here her eyes filled with tears.
"So you are repaid by your recollections for the good you do them ?" resumed I.
"Yes! yes!" said she, "and by their happiness, too! The laughter of these little ones, sir, is like a bird's song; it makes you gay, and gives you heart to live." As she spoke she cut some fresh slices of bread and cheese, and added some apples and a handful of nuts to them.
"Come, my little dears," she cried, "put these into your pockets against to-morrow." Then, turning to me: "To-day I am ruining myself," added she; "but we must all have our Carnival." I came away without saying a word: I was too much affected.
At last I have discovered what true pleasure is.

After beholding the egotism of sensuality and of intellect, I have found the happy self-sacrifice of goodness.

Pierre, M.Antoine, and Mother Denis had all kept their Carnival; but for the first two, it was only a feast for the senses or the mind; while for the third, it was a feast for the heart..