A few mutual wrongs, and those smoothed over by time, ought not to build an insurmountable barrier between us.
May I venture to request the favor of being presented to your mother ?" M.Langevin and his wife opened their eyes in astonishment.
"How, monsieur ?" said the husband.

"Paris life must have affected your memory.

My poor mother is no more.

It is now three years since we lost her!" The good Fougas burst into tears.
"Forgive me!" said he; "I didn't know it.

Poor woman!" "I don't understand you! You knew my mother ?" "Ingrate!" "Why, you're an amusing fellow! But your parents were invited to the funeral, were they not ?" "Whose parents ?" "Your father and mother!" "Eh! What's this you're cackling to me about?
My mother was dead before yours was born!" "Your mother dead ?" "Yes, certainly; in '89!" "What! Wasn't it your mother who sent you here ?" "Monster! It was my fatherly heart that brought me!" "Fatherly heart ?---- Why, then you're not young Jamin, who has been cutting up didoes in the capital, and has been sent to Nancy to go through the Agricultural School ?" The Colonel answered with the voice of Jupiter tonans: "I am Fougas!" "Very well!" "If Nature says nothing to you in my behalf, ungrateful son, question the spirit of your mother!" "Upon my soul, sir," cried the Counsellor, "we can play at cross purposes a good while! Sit down there, if you please, and tell me your business--Marie, take away the children." Fougas did not require any urging.