CHAPTER XXI
ON Violette's name day Boiseriot presented himself at Chantepie with a little gift box that held a silver thimble and a pair of scissors. Violette was politely pleased, and her mother kept Boiseriot to lunch.
When Vespers rang, the mother went to church, leaving the two by themselves.
Violette played with the scissors, saying:
"They're pretty. I'll take good care of them."
While inwardly she thought:
"They're just tin. The whole thing didn't cost him more than thirty sous. But why did he do it? What's struck him, this year?"
Boiseriot laughed like a man who is happy to be alive.
"When you get married I'll give you a handsome present, don't you fear! Your godfather isn't rich, but he's all alone, living like an old wolf. He could manage to buy you a gold necklace,—or give you a dozen gold pieces for your wedding."
"I haven't any sweetheart."
"Better go and get you one, little girl."
They were silent for a moment, and then they talked about the weather and Violette's new customers. She lifted innocent eyes to him, but all her guile and craft were on the alert.
"By and by he'll have to stop beating about the bush," she thought. "I wonder what's on his mind?"
Finally he ask in an offhand way:
"Did you go to the Moulinettes for the pond-draining?"
"Yes, and I'm not sorry I did. You yourself put it into my head to go. Thank you for having told me."
"Did they get much fish?"
"Quite a lot. I bought some from the man you told me about."
"Michael Corbier?"
"Yes. A handsome man and well-spoken! You had a row with him. I'm sure you were in the wrong."
He answered smoothly:
"Perhaps I was. I'm an impulsive fellow; we had some words about the farm work—but I'm not holding any grudge against him."
"I believe you," said Violette with a show of conviction.
"I'd even like him to know it. I shouldn't have minded meeting him here, that time he called."
He was watching her slyly with sharp eyes. She thought of parrying the thrust, but then decided to give herself the satisfaction of showing him that he wasn't taking her in.
"Go on!" she said. "Why don't you admit that you know nothing and would like to know all? Don't think I'm a fool! It's true, Michael Corbier did call, but he doesn't want anybody to know about it. I'm telling you, because you are my godfather."
Boiseriot laughed.
"That's good!— That's fine! You haven't lost your time! But you know he has two kids. Besides, he's a Dissenter. What's your idea?"
She waved her hand with an air of perfect unconcern and answered, this time quite frankly:
"I don't know." Then she added: "And you?— What's your idea about it?"
"I don't know either, my dear. And what's more, it doesn't concern me."
She insisted coaxingly:
"Oh, but it does! I'll tell you all that happens—and I'll come to you for advice."
"We'll see about that! … After all, I'm not against this thing."
He spoke calmly, but his eyes gleamed with malicious pleasure. He went on smoothly:
"Didn't I hear somewhere last Summer that there was a Dissenter from Saint-Ambroise going with you?—a big fellow they call Trooper, who lost his arm in the threshing machine?"
"People did some talking, yes—but they don't any more. I haven't seen him since his accident."
"I'd say you were wise. It's not a nice family—people of no standing.… His sister happens to be Corbier's hired girl; she isn't of much account—and yet, there are things being said"
Violette looked at him so keenly that he put off to some later day the telling of what he wanted her to hear. Having finished his coffee, he left her.
On his way home, he felt like dancing.
"I've got them! I've got them, every one!—Corbier, Madeleine, Trooper and I'll get Gideon too. The girl's a bad one—not so clever, either—not nearly so clever as she thinks!— Ah, I've got you! You're no match for me!"
Violette had remained on the threshold, following him with her eyes, amused at seeing him so frisky.
"There he goes, thinking I'll keep him informed and ask his advice! He's got some grudge against them, the little sneak! But that's nothing to me. I'll have some fun and hang the rest! Michael is a handsome fellow; his eyes are blacker than mine. … I kind of liked Trooper too—last year.… And the others! All the others! My friend, if you want to know them all, I'll make you do some travelling."