"Very well.

Tell him that his wishes shall be carried out." Then she added, "But pray take a seat, monsieur." Pierre, indeed, had remained standing.

However, he now felt it necessary to accept a chair, desirous as he was of hiding the embarrassment which he still felt in this house, although he was _en famille_ there.

Marie, who could not live without occupation for her fingers, had just returned to some embroidery, some of the fine needlework which she stubbornly executed for a large establishment dealing in baby-linen and bridal _trousseaux_; for she wished at any rate to earn her own pocket-money, she often said with a laugh.

Mere-Grand, too, from habit, which she followed even when visitors were present, had once more started on her perpetual stocking-mending; while Francois and Antoine had again seated themselves at their table; and Thomas alone remained on his legs, leaning against his bench.