He contented himself with portioning out their bread and water.

Then, having already got all the property in his own hands, he awaited an event which would permit him to dispose of it as he pleased.
Circumstances proved singularly favourable.

He escaped the conscription on the ground of being a widow's eldest son.

But two years later Antoine was called out.

His bad luck did not affect him much; he counted on his mother purchasing a substitute for him.