M. Vulfran hesitated for a moment; then he turned to Fabry and said: "You are right; let us go." They returned to the offices. After a time Talouel came to tell his employer that out of the six children that they had thought were dead, three had been found in the homes of neighbors, where they had been carried when the fire first broke out. The burial for the other three tiny victims was to take place the next day. When Talouel had gone, Perrine, who had been very thoughtful, decided to speak to M. Vulfran. "Are you not going to the burial service of these little babies?" she asked. Her trembling voice betrayed her emotion. "Why should I go?" asked M. Vulfran. "Because that would be the most dignified answer you could give to what that poor woman said." "Did my work people come to the burial service of my son?" asked M. Vulfran, coldly. "They did not share your sorrow," said Perrine gravely, "but if you share theirs now they will be touched." "You don't know how ungrateful the workingman is." "Ungrateful! For what? The money they receive? They consider that they have a right to the money they earn. It is theirs. Would they show ingratitude if an interest was taken in them, if a little friendly help was given them? Perhaps it would not be the same, do you think so? Friendship creates friendship. One often loves when one knows one is loved, and it seems to me that when we are friendly to others, we make friends ourselves. It means so much to lighten the burdens of the poor, but how much more is it to lighten their sorrows ... by helping to share them." It seemed to her that she had still so much to say on this subject, but M. Vulfran did not reply. He did not even appear to be listening to her, and she was afraid to say more. Later she might make another attempt. As they left the office M. Vulfran turned to Talouel, who was standing on the steps, and said: "Tell the priest to arrange a suitable burial for the three children. It will be at my expense and I shall be there." Talouel jumped. "And let everyone know," continued M. Vulfran, "that all who wish to go to the church tomorrow, can take the time off. This fire is a great misfortune." "We are not responsible for it," said Talouel. "Not directly ... no," said M. Vulfran. Perrine had another surprise the next morning. After the mail had been opened and the replies dictated, M. Vulfran detained Fabry and said: "I want you to start for Rouen. I think you can spare the time. I have heard that they have built a model crèche there. It is not built by the town, but someone has had it built to the memory of one whom they have lost. I want you to see how this is made. Study it in all its details--the construction, heating and ventilation and the expense of keeping it up. In three months we must have a crèche at the entrance of all my factories. I don't want such a calamity as that which occurred yesterday to take place again. I rely upon you and the responsibility is upon you now."