All the charm of industrious intimacy pervaded the spacious, sun-lit room.
"But we'll all go to see father to-morrow," Thomas suddenly exclaimed.
Before Pierre could answer Marie raised her head.

"No, no," said she, "he does not wish any of us to go to him; for if we should be watched and followed we should betray the secret of his retreat.

Isn't that so, Monsieur l'Abbe ?" "It would indeed be prudent of you to deprive yourselves of the pleasure of embracing him until he himself can come back here.

It will be a matter of some two or three weeks," answered Pierre.
Mere-Grand at once expressed approval of this.

"No doubt," said she.
"Nothing could be more sensible." So the three sons did not insist, but bravely accepted the secret anxiety in which they must for a time live, renouncing the visit which would have caused them so much delight, because their father bade them do so and because his safety depended perhaps on their obedience.
However, Thomas resumed: "Then, Monsieur l'Abbe, will you please tell him that as work will be interrupted here, I shall return to the factory during his absence.