But now, what had transformed him? He heard what was intended
distinctly, but instead of shrinking away, he came forward at once,
and going close to Maurice's side, sat up with considerable skill,
and then bending forward took the little boy's hat off his head, and
held it between his teeth.
Toby had an object. He wanted to draw the attention of the others to
Maurice. And, in truth, he had not a moment to lose, for what they
dreaded had almost come to little Maurice--already the little child
was nearly asleep.
"This will never do," said Joe with energy. He took Maurice up
roughly, and shook him, and then drawing his attention to Toby,
succeeded in rousing him a little.
The next two hours were devoted by Cecile and Joe to Maurice, whom
they tickled, shouted to, played with, and when everything else
failed, Joe would even hold him up by his legs in the air.
Maurice did not quite go to sleep, but the cold was so intense that
the poor little fellow cried with pain.
At the end of about two hours the snow ceased. The dark clouds
rolled away from the sky, which shone down deep blue, peaceful, and
star-bespangled on the children. The wind, also, had gone down, and
the night was calm, though most bitterly cold.
It had, however, been a very terrible snowstorm, and the snow, quite
dazzling white, lay already more than a foot deep on the ground.
"Why, Cecile," said Joe, "I can see Caen again."
"Do you think we could walk back to Caen now, Joe?"
"I don't know.
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