All at once, however, they became quite anxious, for they noticed that their father looked terribly upset.
"My lads," said he, "I've just been a coward.

Ah! it's a curious feeling, I had never experienced it before." Thereupon he recounted his fears of an accident, and how quietly Mere-Grand had saved them all from certain death.

She waved her hand, however, as if to say that there was nothing particularly heroic in turning off a tap.

The young men's eyes nevertheless filled with tears, and one after the other they went to kiss her with a fervour instinct with all the gratitude and worship they felt for her.

She had been devoting herself to them ever since their infancy, she had now just given them a new lease of life.