The crabs, frightened by this operation, which they do not understand, come hastily to the surface, and in their flurry rush into the net the fisher has laid for them at a little distance.

Flore Brazier held her "rabouilloir" in her hand with the natural grace of childlike innocence.
"Has your uncle got permission to hunt crabs ?" "Hey! are not we all under a Republic that is one and indivisible ?" cried the uncle from his station.
"We are under a Directory," said the doctor, "and I know of no law which allows a man to come from Vatan and fish in the territory of Issoudun"; then he said to Flore, "Have you got a mother, little one!" "No, monsieur; and my father is in the asylum at Bourges.

He went mad from a sun-stroke he got in the fields." "How much do you earn ?" "Five sous a day while the season lasts; I catch 'em as far as the Braisne.

In harvest time, I glean; in winter, I spin." "You are about twelve years old ?" "Yes, monsieur." "Do you want to come with me?
You shall be well fed and well dressed, and have some pretty shoes." "No, my niece will stay with me; I am responsible to God and man for her," said Uncle Brazier who had come up to them.

"I am her guardian, d'ye see ?" The doctor kept his countenance and checked a smile which might have escaped most people at the aspect of the man.