15. entre deux grands coups secs frappés, ‘between two loud sharp raps.’ (chapter v. full=vi) 23. ils ne sentaient pas encore le collège, ‘they were as yet untouched by the moral atmosphere of the school. Cf. note, p. 17 l. 20. 25. pépialent, ‘chirped,’ i.e. ‘chattered.’ Page 43. 3. je vous demande! ‘just think of it!’ 7. bon . . sages, ‘kind . . good.’ 11. encriers, règles, porte plumes: note the frequent omission of the article in enumerations. 13. grands yeux: cf. _les fenêtres sont grandes ouvertes_, ‘the windows are wide open.’ 14. à leur intention, ‘especially for them.’ Cf. _à mon intention_, p. 51 l. 2. 18. n’entendait pas, ‘did not want.’ de la sorte, ‘in this way.’ Page 44. 9. à la récréation de quatre heures, ‘at the 4 o’clock interval.’ 16. Jean Lapin leur manquait, ‘they missed Jean Lapin.’ Note carefully— _vous me manquez_, ‘I miss you.’ _je vous manque_, ‘you miss me.’ _j’ai manqué le train_, ‘I have missed the train, _il manque d’esprit_, ‘he is wanting in brains.’ _j’ai manqué de tomber_, ‘I nearly fell.’ 18. quartiers, ‘departments.’ les grands, les moyens, les petits, ‘the senior school, the middle school, the junior school.’ 23. avait beau me sourire, ‘might smile at me as much as he liked.’ See note, p. 15 l. 18. 28. le regardaient du haut de leur toque, ‘eyed him up and down.’ _Toque_=‘college cap.’ Page 45. 3. m’en vouloir: see note, p. 3 l. 31. 8. sous les combles, ‘under the roof,’ ‘at the top of the house.’ c’est là que . ., ‘that was where . .’ 14. criblé de taches d’encre et d’inscriptions au canif, ‘covered with ink-spots and names carved with a penknife.’ 17. pour le quart d’heure: see note, p. 30 l. 29. 18. passer licencié, ‘pass my Master of Arts degree.’ All university students in France, who wish to become teachers in a _lycée_ or _collège_, or professors in a university, must pass several examinations before becoming qualified for such posts. The _Baccalauréat_ —sort of school-leaving certificate—is followed by the _licence_, so-called because it gives the _licence_ or permission to one to teach in a _lycée_ or _collège_. Upon those who have passed these examinations the titles of _Bachelier_ and _Licencié ès lettres_ or _ès sciences_ (_ès=en les_) are respectively conferred. The _Agrégation_ and _Doctorat_, the passing of which confers the titles of _agrégé_ and _docteur_, are very stiff. The former is competitive, the number of places being strictly limited, and allows the successful candidate to take a post in one of the higher schools. For the _Doctorat_ one must write a thesis on some original subject, and no one can obtain a university professorship who has not passed this examination. Page 46. 1. sur les bras, ‘on my hands.’