Ernest Pérochon

“ The hedges had dressed themselves up in their new leaves. Flowers were showing their prettiest wide-open faces all round about. Even the poor little grasses by the wayside had prinked themselves—watch them straightening up on their stalks and trying to shine! And the birds were carolling like mad.
Madeleine walked slowly, holding Jo by the hand; from time to time she picked him up and carried him on her arm a little way. ”

“ Lalie and Jo were the prettiest among them. However hard it was for them, the women complimented Madeleine, who thereupon lifted her head the higher. They had given her a place at the end of the table, a little off from the others, because she was not one of the family. She took Jo on her lap and made him eat from her plate, saying:
"He's used to it; otherwise he wouldn't eat a thing." ”

“ I've got money of my own, I have! If it suits me to waste it, what of it?— If it's my pleasure?— I've got two hundred and fifty francs in the savings bank.— What are they for, I'd like to know, these two hundred and fifty francs? ”