In the one nothing aroused vigilance; in the other, everything rouses it; the result to society is, perhaps, very much the same.

The presence of old Mother Tonsard, which was more a necessity than a precaution, was simply one immorality the more.

And thus it was that the Abbe Brossette, after studying the morals of his parishioners, made this pregnant remark to his bishop:-- "Monseigneur, when I observe the stress that the peasantry lay on their poverty, I realize how they fear to lose that excuse for their immorality." Though everybody knew that the family had no principles and no scruples, nothing was ever said against the morals of the Grand-I-Vert.

At the beginning of this book it is necessary to explain, once for all, to persons accustomed to the decencies of middle-class life, that the peasants have no decency in their domestic habits and customs.

They make no appeal to morality when their daughters are seduced, unless the seducer is rich and timid.