With an expression of much amusement he raised a finger to his lips.

"Attention, Pierre," he whispered; "you'll just see!" Then having noiselessly opened the door, they remained for a moment on the threshold.
The three sons alone were there.

Near his forge stood Thomas working a boring machine, with which he was making some holes in a small brass plate.

Then Francois and Antoine were seated on either side of their large table, the former reading, and the latter finishing a block.

The bright sunshine streamed in, playing over all the seeming disorder of the room, where so many callings and so many implements found place.