1. There it was that I came into the world and spent the first years of my life. 2. Their uncle was a proud and miserly old man, and so nobody liked him. 3. I must say, to begin with, that my birth did not bring my father good luck. 4. From that moment the factory was on its last legs. 5. Soon there remained in the whole house only my brother and myself. 6. The child had been taught only reading and writing. 7. Nobody seemed to know him, which greatly surprised me. 8. In reality he was an excellent man, although quick with his hands and loud of speech. 9. I really cannot understand why you lay the blame on me. 10. The revolutionists were not looked upon with much favour in the house. 11. My brother was scarcely two years older than myself. 12. What a singular man your friend is! 13. As far back as I can remember his eyes were always red. 14. You must start as soon as you can, without anybody knowing it. II (pp. 6—10) 1. All that occurred on that day I still remember as if it had happened yesterday. 2. I had not been told of his departure, and they hardly suspected it either. 3. Although he played his part very well, if he had been asked what Robinson was, he would have been at a loss to answer. 4. My first business, on coming in, was to tell him that he must henceforth keep at home. 5. The richer one is, the more cares one has. 6. I tried in vain to make him say what was the matter with him. 7. The parrot, which my uncle had given me to be rid of its incessant talking, persisted in not speaking as soon as it was mine. 8. I had barely time to throw myself flat on my face behind a clump of oleanders. 9. I thought I recognized the porter’s voice, which reassured me a little. 10. We were greatly afraid that they might chance to discover our hiding-place. 11. What would have become of us if they had remained a few minutes longer? 12. Luckily for him, nothing of the sort happened. 13. At the end of half an hour they retired without even suspecting that the island was inhabited. 14. As soon as they had gone, I ran and shut myself up in my hut. 15. My father, who had gone on before, had already been in Lyons for a week. III (pp. 11—15)