Part
1 I| PART I~As the weather was very fine, the
2 I| the weather was very fine, the people on the farm had hurried
3 I| very fine, the people on the farm had hurried through
4 I| dinner and had returned to the fields.~The servant, Rose,
5 I| returned to the fields.~The servant, Rose, remained
6 I| Rose, remained alone in the large kitchen, where the
7 I| the large kitchen, where the fire was dying out on the
8 I| the fire was dying out on the hearth beneath the large
9 I| out on the hearth beneath the large boiler of hot water.
10 I| occasionally to look at the two streaks of light which
11 I| two streaks of light which the sun threw across the long
12 I| which the sun threw across the long table through the window,
13 I| across the long table through the window, and which showed
14 I| window, and which showed the defects in the glass.~Three
15 I| which showed the defects in the glass.~Three venturesome
16 I| venturesome hens were picking up the crumbs under the chairs,
17 I| picking up the crumbs under the chairs, while the smell
18 I| under the chairs, while the smell of the poultry yard
19 I| chairs, while the smell of the poultry yard and the warmth
20 I| of the poultry yard and the warmth from the cow stall
21 I| yard and the warmth from the cow stall came in through
22 I| cow stall came in through the half-open door, and a cock
23 I| cock was heard crowing in the distance.~When she had finished
24 I| finished her work, wiped down the table, dusted the mantelpiece
25 I| wiped down the table, dusted the mantelpiece and put the
26 I| the mantelpiece and put the plates on the high dresser
27 I| mantelpiece and put the plates on the high dresser close to the
28 I| the high dresser close to the wooden clock with its loud
29 I| knowing why. She looked at the black clay walls, the rafters
30 I| at the black clay walls, the rafters that were blackened
31 I| down, rather overcome by the stale odor from the earthen
32 I| overcome by the stale odor from the earthen floor, on which
33 I| continually spilled and which the heat brought out. With this
34 I| With this there was mingled the sour smell of the pans of
35 I| mingled the sour smell of the pans of milk which were
36 I| which were set out to raise the cream in the adjoining dairy.~
37 I| out to raise the cream in the adjoining dairy.~She wanted
38 I| enough, and so she went to the door to get a mouthful of
39 I| which seemed to do her good.~The fowls were lying on the
40 I| The fowls were lying on the steaming dunghill; some
41 I| in search of worms, while the cock stood up proudly in
42 I| their midst. When he crowed, the cocks in all the neighboring
43 I| crowed, the cocks in all the neighboring farmyards replied
44 I| challenges from farm to farm.~The girl looked at them without
45 I| and was almost dazzled at the sight of the apple trees
46 I| dazzled at the sight of the apple trees in blossom.
47 I| friskiness, jumped over the ditches and then stopped
48 I| her limbs and to repose in the warm, breathless air. She
49 I| went to look for eggs in the hen loft. There were thirteen
50 I| she took in and put into the storeroom; but the smell
51 I| into the storeroom; but the smell from the kitchen annoyed
52 I| storeroom; but the smell from the kitchen annoyed her again,
53 I| and she went out to sit on the grass for a time.~The farmyard,
54 I| on the grass for a time.~The farmyard, which was surrounded
55 I| trees, seemed to be asleep. The tall grass, amid which the
56 I| The tall grass, amid which the tall yellow dandelions rose
57 I| vivid, fresh spring green. The apple trees cast their shade
58 I| shade all round them, and the thatched roofs, on which
59 I| sword-like leaves, steamed as if the moisture of the stables
60 I| steamed as if the moisture of the stables and barns were coming
61 I| barns were coming through the straw. The girl went to
62 I| coming through the straw. The girl went to the shed, where
63 I| straw. The girl went to the shed, where the carts and
64 I| went to the shed, where the carts and buggies were kept.
65 I| spread abroad, while beyond the slope the open country could
66 I| while beyond the slope the open country could be seen,
67 I| of straw, threw it into the ditch and sat down upon
68 I| It was Jacques, one of the farm laborers, a tall fellow
69 I| time. He had been herding the sheep, and, seeing her lying
70 I| seeing her lying down in the shade, had come up stealthily
71 I| she gave him a smack in the face, for she was as strong
72 I| amicably. They spoke about the favorable weather, of their
73 I| their neighbors, of all the people in the country round,
74 I| neighbors, of all the people in the country round, of themselves,
75 I| directed her looks into the distance, toward the village
76 I| into the distance, toward the village in the north which
77 I| distance, toward the village in the north which she had left.~
78 I| however, he seized her by the neck and kissed her again,
79 I| struck him so violently in the face with her clenched fist
80 I| and laid his head against the stem of a tree. When she
81 I| she had hit him right on the middle of the nose. What
82 I| him right on the middle of the nose. What a devil!" he
83 I| of admiration which was the beginning of a real love
84 I| tall, strong wench. When the bleeding had stopped, he
85 I| arm of her own accord, in the avenue, as if they had been
86 I| breath. From that moment the eternal story of love began
87 I| in corners; they met in the moonlight beside the haystack
88 I| in the moonlight beside the haystack and gave each other
89 I| gave each other bruises on the legs, under the table, with
90 I| bruises on the legs, under the table, with their heavy
91 I| night, when every one in the farmhouse was asleep, she
92 I| with bare feet, crossed the yard and opened the door
93 I| crossed the yard and opened the door of the stable where
94 I| yard and opened the door of the stable where Jacques was
95 I| a man were to marry all the girls with whom he has made
96 I| Then she seized him by the throat, threw him or his
97 I| and without speaking, in the dark silence, which was
98 I| which was only broken by the noise made by a horse as
99 I| by a horse as he, pulled the hay out of the manger and
100 I| he, pulled the hay out of the manger and then slowly munched
101 I| Jacques found that she was the stronger, he stammered out: "
102 I| will marry you, as that is the case." But she did not believe
103 I| she said. "You must have the banns put up." "At once,"
104 I| for several days; and, as the stable was now always locked
105 I| Has Jacques left?" "Yes;" the man replied; "I have got
106 I| that she could not take the saucepan off the fire; and
107 I| not take the saucepan off the fire; and later, when they
108 I| cried, burying her head in the bolster, so that she might
109 I| might not be heard. During the day, however, she tried
110 I| she was so overwhelmed by the thoughts of her misfortune
111 I| that she fancied that all the people whom she asked laughed
112 I| however, was that he had left the neighborhood altogether.~
113 II| of any means of avoiding the disgrace that she knew must
114 II| every morning long before the others and persistently
115 II| change in her, and, during the day, she stopped working
116 II| did not look too short.~The months went on, and she
117 II| confession, as she feared to face the priest, to whom she attributed
118 II| consciences; and at meal times the looks of her fellow servants
119 II| she had been found out by the cowherd, a precocious and
120 II| watching her.~One morning the postman brought her a letter,
121 II| and anxiety, she went to the schoolmaster, who told her
122 II| her, and she fell down by the roadside and remained there
123 II| When she got back, she told the farmer her bad news, and
124 II| after she got there, and the next day Rose gave birth
125 II| continually, to judge from the painful manner in which
126 II| could not be burdened with the child, so she left it with
127 II| it, and she went back to the farm.~But now in her heart,
128 II| pained her most, however, was the mad longing to kiss it,
129 II| it in her arms, to feel the warmth of its little body
130 II| night; she thought of it the whole day long, and in the
131 II| the whole day long, and in the evening, when her work was
132 II| she would sit in front of the fire and gaze at it intently,
133 II| handsome and rich. When was the wedding to be and the christening?
134 II| was the wedding to be and the christening? And often she
135 II| seemed to hurt her like the prick of a pin; and, in
136 II| degrees she almost monopolized the work and persuaded him to
137 II| like two; she economized in the bread, oil and candles;
138 II| bread, oil and candles; in the corn, which they gave to
139 II| corn, which they gave to the chickens too extravagantly,
140 II| too extravagantly, and in the fodder for the horses and
141 II| extravagantly, and in the fodder for the horses and cattle, which
142 II| produce, and by baffling the peasants' tricks when they
143 II| selling everything, with the direction of all the laborers,
144 II| with the direction of all the laborers, and with the purchase
145 II| all the laborers, and with the purchase of provisions necessary
146 II| provisions necessary for the household; so that, in a
147 II| that, under her direction, the farm prospered wonderfully,
148 II| Master Vallin's servant," and the farmer himself said everywhere: "
149 II| and her wages remained the same. Her hard work was
150 II| rather bitterly that if the farmer could put fifty or
151 II| hundred crowns extra into the bank every month, thanks
152 II| of wages. She went to see the schoolmaster three times
153 II| at last, one day, when the farmer was having breakfast
154 II| breakfast by himself in the kitchen, she said to him,
155 II| with both his hands on the table, holding his knife,
156 II| knife, with its point in the air, in one, and a piece
157 II| and a piece of bread in the other, and he looked fixedly
158 II| and he looked fixedly at, the girl, who felt uncomfortable
159 III| PART III~The child was nearly eight months
160 III| soon as it saw her. But the next day it began to know
161 III| her, and she took it into the fields, and ran about excitedly
162 III| with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees; and
163 III| down under the shade of the trees; and then, for the
164 III| the trees; and then, for the first time in her life,
165 III| hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence
166 III| quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.~
167 III| of her caresses.~She took the greatest pleasure in handling
168 III| to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity;
169 III| my baby."~She cried all the way home as she returned
170 III| home as she returned to the farm and had scarcely got
171 III| and looking each other in the face, after the manner of
172 III| other in the face, after the manner of peasants.~The
173 III| the manner of peasants.~The farmer, a stout, jovial,
174 III| little, and looking out of the window as he talked. "How
175 III| were in a whirl, as if at the approach of some great danger;
176 III| Rose looked at him with the air of a person who thinks
177 III| murderer and ready to flee at the slightest movement he may
178 III| great misfortune. At last the farmer grew impatient and
179 III| in terror, then suddenly the tears came into her eves
180 III| And he hurried out of the room, very glad to have
181 III| to have got through with the matter, which had troubled
182 III| no doubt that she would the next morning accept a proposal
183 III| him more than if she had the best dowry in the district.~
184 III| she had the best dowry in the district.~Neither could
185 III| match between them, for in the country every one is very
186 III| one is very nearly equal; the farmer works with his laborers,
187 III| masters in their turn, and the female servants constantly
188 III| servants constantly become the mistresses of the establishments
189 III| become the mistresses of the establishments without its
190 III| bed, and she had not even the strength to cry left in
191 III| then she was frightened at the idea of what might happen.
192 III| increased, and every time the great kitchen clock struck
193 III| great kitchen clock struck the hour she broke out in a
194 III| became bewildered, and had the nightmare; her candle went
195 III| like a ship scudding before the wind. An owl hooted; she
196 III| sleep. When she got into the yard she stooped down, so
197 III| any prowling scamp, for the moon, which was setting,
198 III| shed a bright light over the fields. Instead of opening
199 III| fields. Instead of opening the gate she scrambled over
200 III| gate she scrambled over the fence, and as soon as she
201 III| flew over her head, while the dogs in the farmyards barked
202 III| head, while the dogs in the farmyards barked as they
203 III| pass; one even jumped over the ditch, and followed her
204 III| such a terrible yell that the frightened animal ran back
205 III| in silence in its kennel.~The stars grew dim, and the
206 III| The stars grew dim, and the birds began to twitter;
207 III| twitter; day was breaking. The girl was worn out and panting;
208 III| out and panting; and when the sun rose in the purple sky,
209 III| and when the sun rose in the purple sky, she stopped,
210 III| farther; but she saw a pond in the distance, a large pond whose
211 III| looked like blood under the reflection of this new day,
212 III| and plunged her legs into the still water, from which
213 III| she was looking fixedly at the deep pool, she was seized
214 III| steps forward. She was in the water up to her thighs,
215 III| for, from her knees to the tips of her feet, long black
216 III| along at some distance, to the spot. He pulled off the
217 III| the spot. He pulled off the leeches one by one, applied
218 III| by one, applied herbs to the wounds, and drove the girl
219 III| to the wounds, and drove the girl to her master's farm
220 III| she was sitting outside the door on the first morning
221 III| sitting outside the door on the first morning that she got
222 III| morning that she got up, the farmer suddenly came and
223 III| Well," he said, "I suppose the affair is settled isn't
224 III| should just like to know the reason why?" She began to
225 III| replied, trembling with shame.~The man got as red as a poppy,
226 III| you slut! And pray who is the fellow? Some penniless,
227 III| he angrily mentioned all the young fellows in the neighborhood,
228 III| all the young fellows in the neighborhood, while she
229 III| denied that he had hit upon the right one, and every moment
230 III| moment wiped her eyes with the corner of her blue apron.
231 III| a hole to try and get at the animal which he scents inside
232 III| inside it. Suddenly, however, the man shouted: "By George!
233 III| By George! It is Jacques, the man who was here last year.
234 III| that really a fact?" asked the cunning peasant, who partly
235 III| peasant, who partly guessed the truth; and she replied,
236 III| looked her master straight in the face. "No, never, never;
237 III| an air of sincerity that the farmer hesitated, and then
238 III| There must be something at the bottom of it, however."~
239 III| say nothing; she had not the strength to speak, and he
240 III| him altogether and spent the rest of the day almost tranquilly,
241 III| altogether and spent the rest of the day almost tranquilly, but
242 III| if she had been turning the thrashing machine all day
243 III| thrashing machine all day in the place of the old white horse,
244 III| all day in the place of the old white horse, and she
245 III| fell asleep immediately. In the middle of the night, however,
246 III| immediately. In the middle of the night, however, two hands
247 III| however, two hands touching the bed woke her. She . trembled
248 III| but immediately recognized the farmer's voice, when he
249 III| she felt quite alone in the darkness, still heavy from
250 III| imperfectly protected by the undecided will of inert
251 III| She turned her head now to the wall, and now toward the
252 III| the wall, and now toward the room, in order to avoid
253 III| room, in order to avoid the attentions which the farmer
254 III| avoid the attentions which the farmer tried to press on
255 IV| rocks, which would fall on the first occasion. Her husband
256 IV| occasion. Her husband gave her the impression of a man whom
257 IV| thought of her child, who was the cause of her misfortunes,
258 IV| misfortunes, but who was also the cause of all her happiness
259 IV| so years went on, until the child was six. She was almost
260 IV| happy now, when suddenly the farmer's temper grew very
261 IV| then she went back into the house, with all her grief
262 IV| awakened afresh; and at dinner the farmer neither spoke to
263 IV| to know something about the affair at last. In consequence
264 IV| remain alone with him after the meal was over, but left
265 IV| meal was over, but left the room and hastened to the
266 IV| the room and hastened to the church.~It was getting dusk;
267 IV| church.~It was getting dusk; the narrow nave was in total
268 IV| but she heard footsteps in the choir, for the sacristan
269 IV| footsteps in the choir, for the sacristan was preparing
270 IV| sacristan was preparing the tabernacle lamp for the
271 IV| the tabernacle lamp for the night. That spot of trembling
272 IV| light, which was lost in the darkness of the. arches,
273 IV| lost in the darkness of the. arches, looked to Rose
274 IV| she fell on her knees. The chain rattled as the little
275 IV| knees. The chain rattled as the little lamp swung up into
276 IV| little lamp swung up into the air, and almost immediately
277 IV| and almost immediately the small bell rang out the
278 IV| the small bell rang out the Angelus through the increasing
279 IV| out the Angelus through the increasing mist. She went
280 IV| She trembled as she rang the bell of the parsonage. The
281 IV| as she rang the bell of the parsonage. The priest was
282 IV| the bell of the parsonage. The priest was just sitting
283 IV| your husband has mentioned the matter to me that brings
284 IV| me that brings you here." The poor woman nearly fainted,
285 IV| woman nearly fainted, and the priest continued: "What
286 IV| and she got up to go, but the priest said: "Courage."~
287 IV| went out and returned to the farm without knowing what
288 IV| knowing what she was doing. The farmer was waiting for her,
289 IV| was waiting for her, as the laborers had gone away during
290 IV| may live alone together to the end of their days. That
291 IV| it is very provoking, all the same."~
292 V| ashes in it every evening. The farmer consented to try
293 V| drove off to consult him. The shepherd gave him a loaf
294 V| piece of it, but they ate the whole loaf without obtaining
295 V| love which were unknown in the country, but infallible,
296 V| declared; but none of them had the desired effect. Then the
297 V| the desired effect. Then the priest advised them to make
298 V| to make a pilgrimage to the shrine at Fecamp. Rose went
299 V| at Fecamp. Rose went with the crowd and prostrated herself
300 V| and prostrated herself in the abbey, and, mingling her
301 V| mingling her prayers with the coarse desires of the peasants
302 V| with the coarse desires of the peasants around her, she
303 V| and stand out of doors in the rain until daylight. As
304 V| obey him, he seized her by the neck and began to strike
305 V| and began to strike her in the face with his fists, but
306 V| and flinging him against the wall with a furious gesture,
307 V| without keeping his word."~The man was thunderstruck and
308 V| she continued: "That was the reason why I did not want
309 V| sobbing.~Then he got up, lit the candle, and began to walk
310 V| him. She was cowering on the bed and crying, and suddenly
311 V| when she was standing on the floor, he suddenly began
312 V| suddenly began to laugh with the hearty laugh of his good
313 V| well, we will go and fetch the child, as you and I can
314 V| scared that if she had had the strength she would assuredly
315 V| assuredly have run away, but the farmer rubbed his hands
316 V| have found one. I asked the cure about an orphan some
317 V| was kneeling in front of the fireplace and lighting the
318 V| the fireplace and lighting the fire under the saucepan,
319 V| lighting the fire under the saucepan, he continued to
320 V| continued to walk up and down the kitchen with long strides,
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