But Jean held on
very tightly, apparently awaiting orders. It may have been the unusual
fervour of the father's clasp that caused the child to whimper, or it
may have been that it never had seen such an expression in its
parent's face before. At any rate, as it looked up into Jean's swarthy
countenance it began to cry; where upon Madame Rousseau exclaimed
shrilly:
"Can't you see, Jean? Madame would hold my baby to her breast. Quick!
You big simpleton! Ah, madame, my poor Jean is so sad, so broken-
hearted over the thought of losing his child that he--There! See! See
the lovely smile once more?"
It was true that the instant Mrs. Bingle received the plump wriggler
in her arms, the beaming smile was restored. Jean moved quickly into
the background, and turned his miserable face away from the scene.
The Rousseau baby WAS adorable, there could be no mistake about that.
In previous experiences, Mr. and Mrs. Bingle had encountered half-
starved, unhappy, whining infants. This was the first time they had
come upon a lusty, apparently over-fed specimen, and they were at once
filled with the joy of covetousness.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298