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VIII
The Evening Prayer
PETIT-PIERRE had raised his head and was looking about him with a thoughtful air.
"Oh, that is the way he always does, whenever he hears the sound of eating," said Germain. "The explosion of a cannon would not rouse him, but if you work your jaws near him, he opens his eyes at once."
"You must have been just like him at his age," said little Marie, with a sly smile. "See! my PetitPierre, you are looking for your canopy. To-night it is made all of green, my child; but your father eats his supper none the less. Do you wish to sup with him? I have not eaten your share; I thought that you might claim it."
"Marie, I wish you to eat," cried the husbandman; "I shall not touch another morsel. I am a
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