Chapter 10 - Page 2

suggested to their minds a natural excuse by
which to escape the solemn entrance into Grandet's chamber. The winter
of 1819-1820 was one of the coldest of that epoch. The snow encumbered
the roofs.

Madame Grandet called to her husband as soon as she heard him stirring
in his chamber, and said,--

"Grandet, will you let Nanon light a fire here for me? The cold is so
sharp that I am freezing under the bedclothes. At my age I need some
comforts. Besides," she added, after a slight pause, "Eugenie shall
come and dress here; the poor child might get an illness from dressing
in her cold room in such weather. Then we will go and wish you a happy
New Year beside the fire in the hall."

"Ta, ta, ta, ta, what a tongue! a pretty way to begin the new year,
Madame Grandet! You never talked so much before; but you haven't been
sopping your bread in wine, I know that."

There was a moment's silence.

"Well," resumed the goodman, who no doubt had some reason of his own
for agreeing to his wife's request, "I'll do what you ask, Madame
Grandet. You are a good woman, and I don't want any harm to happen to
you at your time of life,--though as a general thing the Bertellieres
are as sound as a roach. Hein! isn't that so?" he added after a pause.
"Well, I forgive them; we got their property in the end." And he
coughed.

"You are very gay this morning, monsieur," said the poor woman
gravely.

"I'm always gay,--

"'Gai, gai, gai, le tonnelier,
Raccommodez votre cuvier!'"

he answered, entering his wife's room fully dressed. "Yes, on my word,
it is cold enough to freeze you solid. We shall have a fine breakfast,
wife. Des Grassins has sent me a pate-de-foie-gras truffled! I am
going now to get it at the coach-office. There'll be a double napoleon
for Eugenie in the package," he whispered in Madame Grandet's ear. "I
have no gold left, wife. I had a few stray pieces--I don't mind
telling you that--but I had to let them go in business."

Then, by way of celebrating the new year, he kissed her on the
forehead.

"Eugenie," cried the mother, when Grandet was fairly gone, "I don't
know which side of the bed your father got out of, but he is
good-tempered this morning. Perhaps we shall come out safe after
all?"

"What's happened to the master?" said Nanon, entering her mistress's
room to light the fire. "First place, he said, 'Good-morning; happy
New Year, you big fool! Go and light my wife's fire, she's cold'; and
then, didn't I feel silly when he held out his hand and gave me a
six-franc piece, which isn't worn one bit? Just look