﻿ADOLPHUS AND JAMES. 



147 



" The fireworks are over." 



" What ! was it fireworks that made all that noise ? " 



" Undoubtedly ! " 



" Then, I do not like fireworks, nor parrots, nor all your little 

 boys, nor asparagus, nor artichokes ; I had rather go home with my 

 father ; I should be glad to start to-morrow, and never to see Paris 

 any more." 



" Well, James, I will come to visit you in your mountains ; papa 

 has promised to take me with him when he goes to visit our farm." 



In fact, M. Valcourt, who had perceived the tricks of his son, and 

 who wished to give him a lesson in the presence of the young peas- 

 ant, had resolved to Cake his son into the country; and the next day 

 the landlord, the farmer, and their two sons, set out together for the 

 poor village of the unfortunate James. 



As soon as he had set foot on his mountains, James felt at his 

 ease. There he was at home ; he knew everything, could talk of 

 everything ; there was not a tree in the orchard, not a stone in the 

 road, which was not an old acquaintance. So he pointed out to 

 Adolphus, with a degree of pride, all the curiosities that they met 

 with on their way. As for Adolphus, on the contrary, who had 

 never been beyond the barrieres of Paris, the country was novel and 

 unknown to him. So, at every step, he asked questions about the 

 fields, the plants, the trees, and the cattle. Here, James could take 

 his revenge. So he did not fail to do so ; and to give you an idea 

 of the manner in which he gratified his wounded pride, I will relate 

 to you how they spent their first day in the country. 



In the morning, both went out to make an excursion into the 

 fields. 



" Shall we go on horseback ?" safcd Adolphus ; " I saw a horse in 

 your father's stable." 



" Yes, but we have only one." 



" No matter ; I will ride him, and you, James, can take the 

 mule." 



" Come," said James ; and they went to the stable. 



" You must put the saddle on," said Adolphus. 



" Oh ! we do not use saddles in the country. Wait, 1 will help 

 you mount; there you are ! Now, go ahead ! I am coming after 



