Francois is his mother's only son, the bread-winner of the household, a good lad and studious too, and Felicite has always been very delicate.

She is blind from birth and..." "Oh! don't...

for pity's sake, don't..." moaned Marguerite in an agony of helplessness.

"I understand...

you need not fear for your children, M.l'Abbe: no harm shall come to them through me." "It is as the good God wills!" replied the old man quietly.
Then, as Marguerite had once more relapsed into silence, he fumbled for his beads, and his gentle voice began droning the Paters and Aves wherein no doubt his child-like heart found peace and solace.
He understood that the poor woman would not wish to speak, he knew as well as she did the overpowering strength of his helpless appeal.