He, too, had a violin, and was evidently giving the children a lesson.

Tantaine at once guessed that this was Professor Poluche.
"Listen," said he; "here, you Ascanie, play the chorus from the _Chateau de Marguerite_." As he spoke he drew his bow across his instrument, while the little Savoyard did his best to imitate him, and in a squeaking voice, in nasal tone, he sang: "Ah! great heavens, how fine and grand Is the palace!" "You young rascal!" cried Poluche.

"Have I not bid you fifty times that at the word 'palace' you are to place your bow on the fourth chalkmark and draw it across?
Begin again." Once again the boy commenced, but Poluche stopped him.
"I believe, you young villain, that you are doing it on purpose.

Now, go through the whole chorus again; and if you do not do it right, look out for squalls." Poor Ascanie was so muddled that he forgot all his instructions.

Without any appearance of anger, the professor took up the whip and administered half a dozen severe cuts across the bare legs of the child, whose shouts soon filled the room.
"When you are done howling," remarked Poluche, "you can try again; and if you do not succeed, no supper for you to-night, my lad.