"A knife, a piece of soap," continued little Perrine, "a thimble, two needles, some thread and a map of the roads, that was all." "Could you understand the map?" "Yes, I had to know, because we used to travel all over the country. That was the only thing that I kept of our belongings." The blind man stopped his little guide. "Isn't there a big tree here on the left?" he asked. "Yes, with a seat all around it," she replied. "Come along then; we'll be better sitting down." When they were seated she went on with her story. She had no occasion to shorten it, for she saw that her employer was greatly interested. "You never thought of begging?" he asked, when she came to the time when she had left the woods after being overtaken by the terrible storm. "No, sir; never." "But what did you count upon when you saw that you could not get any work?" "I didn't count on anything. I thought that if I kept on as long as I had the strength I might find something. It was only when I was so hungry and so tired that I had to give up. If I had dropped one hour sooner all would have been over." Then she told him how her donkey, licking her face, had brought her back to consciousness, and how the ragpicker had saved her from starvation. Then passing quickly over the days she had spent with La Rouquerie, she came to the day when she had made Rosalie's acquaintance. "And Rosalie told me," she said, "that anyone who wants work can get it in your factories. I came and they employed me at once." "When are you going on to your relations?" Perrine was embarrassed. She did not expect this question. "I am not going any further," she replied, after a moment's hesitation. "I don't know if they want me, for they were angry with father. I was going to try and be near them because I have no one else, but I don't know if I shall be welcomed. Now that I have found work, it seems to me that it would be better for me to stay here. What will become of me if they turn me away? I know I shall not starve here, and I am too afraid to go on the road again. I shall not let them know that I am here unless some piece of luck comes my way." "Didn't your relatives ever try to find out about you?" asked M. Vulfran. "No, never," replied Perrine. "Well, then, perhaps you are right," he said. "Yet if you don't like to take a chance and go and see them, why don't you write them a letter? They may not be able to give you a home, so then you could stay here where you'd be sure of earning your living. On the other hand, they may be very glad to have you, and you would have love and protection, which you would not have here. You've learned already that life is very hard for a young girl of your age, and in your position ... and very sad."