CHAPTER LVII 



BELLADONNA BERRIES 



BAD news \va> circulating from house to house in 

 the village. Here is what they were saying: 

 That day they had put little Louis into his first 

 trousers. They had pockets and shiny buttons. In 

 his new costume Louis was a little awkward, but 

 much pleased. He admired the buttons that shone 

 in the sun; he kept turning his pockets inside out to 

 see if there was room enough for all his playthings. 

 What made him the happiest was a tin watch, always 

 marking the same hour. His brother, Joseph, two 

 \ -a rs older, was also much pleased. Now that Louis 

 wae dressed like him, nothing prevented his taking 

 him to the woods, where there were birds' nests and 

 st i awberries. They owned in common a lamb whiter 

 than snow, with a pretty little bell at its neck. The 

 two brothers were to take it to the meadow. Some 

 lunch was packed in a basket. They kissed their 

 mother, who advisi-d them not to go far. "Take care 

 of your brother," said she to Joseph ; "hold -him by 

 the hand and come hack soon." They started. Jo- 

 sej.h can-ied the ha>ket, Louis led the lamb. From 

 the door their mother watched them going off, her- 

 ><-lf happy in their joy. Every now and then the 

 children turned to smile at her; then they disap- 

 peared at the turn of the path. 



