OUR FOUR-FOOTED COMPANIONS. 297 



all night. This little donkey has been my only consola- 

 tion. He was hotter company than my husband. He 

 never got drunk, and never beat me ; and I never beat 

 him. Did I, Pierrot ? " 



10. The poor little boast seemed to share in the conver- 

 sation. He half raised his ears and assented. One of my 

 friends passed by, and asked me what I was doing. " I 

 am making a new friend." — "He may be witty, but he is 

 not handsome." — "I find him admirable, and I would like 

 to see you in his place. He has been out since midnight. 

 Here, you want to help me in a work of charity ?" — "With 

 all my heart." — " Very well ; let us buy this donkey and 

 put him on the retired list. This good woman will take 

 care of him." 



11. The rag-picker looked at us severely, fearing we 

 were laughing at her. But when she saw the shine of the 

 louis-d'or she smiled. " How much did Pierrot cost?" — 

 "Ten francs." — "Well, you go back to the abattoir and 

 buy another donkey, and take care of this one." I gave my 

 card to the woman, and said good-by to her and the donkey. 

 The miracle was complete. The donkey started off in high 

 spirits, the woman pushing the cart from behind. 



12. That evening the woman came to me in tears. I 

 understood at once. " Oh ! sir, lie is gone." — " Poor Pier- 

 rot !" — "Yes, sir, we got to St. Ouen one way or another ; 

 but when he came in sight of our hut he fell on his knees. 

 I tried to raise him, but this time it was all over. My 

 children came running and crying. They talked to him 

 and kissed him. He looked at them so sadly as to break 

 our hearts. I tell you there are lots of people in the world 

 not worth half so much as poor Pierrot. Think of it : he 

 wanted to die at home after finishing his day's work." 

 Like a soldier who dies after firing his last cartridge. 



13. The rag-picker opened her hand, and I saw the 

 money I had given her in the morning. " Here is your 



