Ernest Pérochon

“ Oh, well, Fridoline would have to contribute a little more, Tiennette would have to do without a new ribbon! She simply couldn't spare any of her last few pennies! How could she refuse the children any wish, now that she was going to lose them? Not she! ”

“ And then, for his own satisfaction, he launched into a long homily full of bitterness.
"Old people are always in the wrong.—What right have they on earth?—So long as they're able to work, well and good!—but after that, they'd better die right away."
Madeleine interrupted him:
"All right! you can tell my mother that I'll go to see her one of these days. Tell her not to worry and take good care of herself, so she'll be well again when I come."
The old man promptly took her up:
"Take good care of herself! How can she? Where will she get the money to buy what she needs, can you tell me that?" ”