In their second long talk together, he learned little by little the
boy's own history. Far more than he had cared to confide to Cecile
did Joe tell to Anton of his early life, of his cruel suffering as a
little apprentice to his bad master, of his bitter hardships, of his
narrow escapes, finally of his successful running away. And now of
the hope which burned within him night and day; the hope of once more
seeing his mother, of once more being taken home to his mother's heart.
"I'd rather die than give it up," said poor Joe in conclusion, and
when he said these words with sudden and passionate fervor, wicked
Anton felt that the ball, as he expressed it, was at his feet.
Anton resolved so to work on Joe's fears, so to trade on his
affections for his mother and his early home, and if necessary, so to
threaten to deliver him up to his old master, who could punish him
for running away, that Joe himself, to set himself free, would part
with Cecile's purse of gold.
The bad man could scarcely sleep with delight as he formed his
schemes; he longed to know how much the purse contained--of course in
his eagerness he doubled the sum it really did possess.
He now devoted all his leisure time to the little pilgrims, and all
the little party made friends with him except Toby. But wise Toby
looked angry when he saw him talking to Cecile, and pretending that
he was learning some broken English from her pretty lips.
When they got to Paris, Anton promised to provide the children with
both cheap and comfortable lodgings.
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