Now he doubted no longer; his involuntary displeasure at his brother's windfall of fortune and his religious affection for his mother had magnified his scruples--very pious and respectable scruples, but exaggerated.

As he put this conclusion into words in his own mind he felt happy, as at the doing of a good action; and he resolved to be nice to every one, beginning with his father, whose manias, and silly statements, and vulgar opinions, and too conspicuous mediocrity were a constant irritation to him.
He came in not late for breakfast, and amused all the family by his fun and good humour.
His mother, quite delighted, said to him: "My little Pierre, you have no notion how humorous and clever you can be when you choose." And he talked, putting things in a witty way, and making them laugh by ingenious hits at their friends.

Beausire was his butt, and Mme.
Rosemilly a little, but in a very judicious way, not too spiteful.

And he thought as he looked at his brother: "Stand up for her, you muff.

You may be as rich as you please, I can always eclipse you when I take the trouble." As they drank their coffee he said to his father: "Are you going out in the Pearl to-day ?" "No, my boy." "May I have her with Jean Bart ?" "To be sure, as long as you like." He bought a good cigar at the first tobacconist's and went down to the quay with a light step.