This was a terrible blow to the simple, rugged soldier, who had never had much time nor inclination to flirt with a lot of girls, and toughen his heart.

He came back to Paris honored and rich, but downcast.

The old home, empty of his mother, seemed to him not to have the old look.
It made him sadder.

To cheer him up they brought him much money.

The widow's trade had taken a wonderful start the last few years, and she had been playing the same game as he had, living on ten-pence a day, and saving all for him.