The Sacred Beetle and Others 



wealth. All used to work and bring their 

 bit of bread to the frugal repast. While 

 the eldest drove the team afield, the young- 

 est, clad in his first pair of breeches, took 

 the brood of Ducklings to the pond.^ 



jThese patriarchal ways are becoming rare. 

 Progress sees to that. Of course, it is an 

 enviable thing tO' scorch along on a bicycle, 

 working your legs up and down like a dis- 

 tracted Spider; but there is a reverse to the 

 medal: progress brings luxury, but creates 

 expensive tastes. In my village, the com- 

 monest factory-girl, earning her tenpence a 

 day, sports on a Sunday sleeves puffed at the 

 shoulders and feathers in her hat Hke the 

 fine ladies'; she has a sunshade with an ivory 

 handle, a padded chignon, patent-leather 

 shoes, with open-work stockings and lace 

 flounces. O Goose-girl, I in my short linen 

 jacket dare not look at you as you pass my 

 door on your Sunday parade along the high- 

 road ! You make me feel too small with 

 your smart raiment. 



The young men, on the other hand, are 

 assiduous frequenters of the cafe, which 

 is much more luxurious than the old- 

 fashioned pothouse. Here they find ver- 



1 Cf. Fabre's own youthful experiences, in The Life of 

 Fly: chap. vii. — Translator's Note. 



366 



