The master gave him instructions in the trade, and watched him while at work.

Jasmin was willing and active, and was soon able to curl and shave with any apprentice in Agen.
After the day's work was over, the apprentice retired to his garret under the tiles.

There he spent his evenings, and there he slept at night.

Though the garret was infested by rats, he thought nothing of them; he had known them familiarly at home.
They did him no harm, and they even learnt to know him.

His garret became his paradise, for there he renewed his love of reading.