CHAPTER XT 



THE KETTLE 



NOW, that day, Mother Ambroisine was very 

 t i red. She had taken down from their shelves 

 kettles, saucepans, lamps, candlesticks, casseroles, 

 pans, and lids. After having rubbed them with fine 

 sand and ashes, then washed them well, she had put 

 t In- utensils in the sun to dry them thoroughly. They 

 all shone like a mirror. The kettles particularly 

 were superb with their rosy reflections; one might 

 have said that tongues of fire were shining inside 

 tin -m. The candlesticks were a dazzling yellow. 

 Mini lc and Jules were lost in admiration. 



"I should like to know what they make kettles of, 

 they shine so," remarked Emile. "They are very 

 ugly outside, all black, daubed with soot ; but inside, 

 how beautiful they are !" 



"You must ask Uncle," replied his brother. 



' Ves," assented Emile. 



No sooner said than done : they went in search of 

 tin ir uncle. He did not have to be entreated; he 

 was happy whenever there was an opportunity to 

 teach them something. 



11 Kettles arc made of copper," he began. 



1 Ami copper?" asked Jules. 



''Copper is not made. In certain countries, it is 

 found aln-ady made, mixed with stone. It is one of 

 tin- substances that it is not in the power of man to 



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