At the idea which then suggested itself the poor woman wrung her hands.
Philippe alone could have committed this domestic theft.
"Why didn't he ask me, if he wanted it ?" cried Joseph, taking a dab of color on his palette and stirring it into the other colors without seeing what he did.

"Is it likely I should refuse him ?" "It is robbing a child!" cried the Descoings, her face expressing the deepest disgust.
"No," replied Joseph, "he is my brother; my purse is his: but he ought to have asked me." "Put in a special sum, in silver, this morning, and don't take anything out," said Madame Descoings.

"I shall know who goes into the studio; and if he is the only one, you will be certain it is he." The next day Joseph had proof of his brother's forced loans upon him.
Philippe came to the studio when his brother was out and took the little sum he wanted.

The artist trembled for his savings.
"I'll catch him at it, the scamp!" he said, laughing, to Madame Descoings.
"And you'll do right: we ought to break him of it.

I, too, I have missed little sums out of my purse.