A second child, a little girl eight years old, hearing the cry of her brother turned towards Ourson and commenced the most piercing shrieks. All the family now followed the movement of the children and turned around. At the sight of Ourson the women cried out with terror and the children fled in wild alarm. The men seized sticks and pitchforks expecting to be attacked by poor Ourson whom they took for some extraordinary animal escaped from a menagerie. Ourson, seeing this movement of terror and preparation for attack, spoke to them hoping to dissipate their fears. "I am not a bear, as you seem to suppose, but a poor boy seeking work and who would be very glad if you should give him employment." The farmer was greatly amazed to hear a bear speak. He did not know whether to fly or to interrogate him further. He resolved, however, to speak. "Who are you and from whence do you come?" "I come from the Woodland Farm and I am the son of Agnella," Ourson replied. "Ah, then it was you who in your childhood went with your mother to market and frightened all our children to death. You have lived in the woods and done without our help. Why do you seek us now? Go away and live as you have lived heretofore." "Our farm-house is burned to the ground. I have to work now with my hands to support my mother and sister. For this reason, I pray you to give me work. I will do all you command me." "Do you suppose, boy, that I will take into my service a villainous animal like you who will frighten my wife and my servants to death and throw my children into convulsions? I am not quite such a fool, my boy; not quite such a fool. Enough of this. Be off, and allow us to finish our dinner." "Master farmer, be merciful. Only try my work. Place me altogether by myself; then no one will fear me. I will conceal myself so well that your children shall not see me." "Will you be done talking, wicked bear? Go instantly; if you don't you shall feel the teeth of my pitchfork." Poor Ourson bowed his head. Tears of humiliation and disappointment glittered in his eyes. He withdrew slowly, followed by the coarse laugh and shouts of the farm hands. When out of sight he no longer restrained his tears, but in all this shame and despair the thought that Violette could take upon herself his ugly covering did not enter his thoughts. Ourson walked on till he came in sight of a castle where he saw a crowd of men coming, going and laboring at every kind of work. Some were mowing, some raking, some currying horses, some sweeping, some watering plants, some sowing. "Here is a house where I shall certainly find work," said Ourson to himself. "I see neither women nor children and I think the men will not be afraid of me." Ourson drew near without being seen. He took off his hat and stood before a man who seemed to be the superintendent. "Sir--" said he. The man looked up, recoiled a step when he saw Ourson and examined him with the greatest surprise.