"Well, then, to tell the whole truth," replied Amandine, timidly, "these fine handkerchiefs came out of a box of things that Nicholas brought in this evening in his boat." "And which he had stolen?" "I think so, brother,--out of a barge." "So then, Francois, you lie?" said Martial. The boy bent down his head, but made no reply. "Give me this handkerchief, Amandine; and yours, too, Francois." The little girl took off her head-dress, gave a last look at the large bow, which was not untied, and gave the handkerchief to Martial, repressing a sigh of regret. Francois drew his slowly out of his pocket, and then gave it to his brother, as his sister had done. "To-morrow morning," he said, "I will return these handkerchiefs to Nicholas. You ought not to have taken them, children. To profit by a robbery is as if one robbed oneself." "It is a pity those handkerchiefs were so pretty!" said Francois. "When you have learned a trade, and earn money by your work, you will buy some as good. Go to bed, my dears,--it is very late." "You are not angry, brother?" said Amandine, timidly. "No, no, my love, it is not your fault. You live with ill-disposed persons, and you do as they do unconsciously. When you are with honest persons, you will do as they do; and you'll soon be with such, or the devil's in it. So now, good night!" "Good night, brother!" Martial kissed the children. They were now alone. "What's the matter with you, Francois,--you seem very sorrowful!" said Amandine. "Why, brother has taken my nice handkerchief; and besides, didn't you hear what he said?" "What?" "He means to take us with him, and put us apprentice." "And ain't you glad?" "_Ma foi_, no!" "Would you rather stay here and be beaten every day?" "Why, if I am beaten I am not made to work. I am all day in the boat, fishing, or playing, or waiting on the customers, who sometimes give me something, as the stout lame man did. It is much more amusing than to be from morning till night shut up in a workshop working like a dog." "But didn't you understand? Why, brother said that if we remained here longer we should become evil-disposed." "Ah! bah! That's all one to me, since the other children call us already little thieves,--little guillotines! And then to work is too tiresome!" "But here they are always beating us, brother!" "They beat us because we listen to Martial more than to any one else." "Oh, he is so kind to us!" "Yes, he is kind,--very kind,--I don't say he ain't; and I am very fond of him. No one dares to be unkind to us when he is by. He takes us out with him,--that's true; but that's all; he never gives us anything." "Why, he has nothing. What he gains he gives our mother to pay for his eating, drinking, and lodging."