Little Abel glides into his father's room.

He is told that he must go to the house of his preceptor to-day, for he must learn to read and write.

Abel is "more pretty than strong;" he is to be an homme de lettres, as his little arms would fail him if he were to handle the rough stones of his father's trade.

Father and son embraced each other.
For a few days all goes well, but on the fourth, a Sunday, a command comes from the master mason that if Hilaire does not return to his work to-morrow, his place shall be given to another.

This news spreads dismay and consternation among them all.