"But why didn't you do it yourself, my friend ?" He had watched her in bewilderment, chilled to the bones, as if touched by the hand of death.

And when some colour at last returned to his cheeks, and he found himself still alive in front of the apparatus whence no harm could now come, he heaved a deep sigh and again shuddered.

"Why did I not turn it off ?" he repeated.

"It was because I felt afraid." At that very moment Marie and Pierre came into the work-shop all chatter and laughter, delighted with their excursion, and bringing with them the bright joyousness of the sunlight.

The three brothers, Thomas, Francis and Antoine, were jesting with them, and trying to make them confess that Pierre had at least fought a battle with a cow on the high road, and ridden into a cornfield.