Part
1 I| hurried through their dinner and had returned to the fields.~
2 I| she dipped out some water and slowly washed her dishes,
3 I| table through the window, and which showed the defects
4 I| smell of the poultry yard and the warmth from the cow
5 I| through the half-open door, and a cock was heard crowing
6 I| dusted the mantelpiece and put the plates on the high
7 I| were blackened with smoke and from which hung spiders'
8 I| spiders' webs, smoked herrings and strings of onions, and then
9 I| herrings and strings of onions, and then she sat down, rather
10 I| been continually spilled and which the heat brought out.
11 I| not feel strong enough, and so she went to the door
12 I| at them without thinking, and then she raised her eyes
13 I| then she raised her eyes and was almost dazzled at the
14 I| then a colt, full of life and friskiness, jumped over
15 I| jumped over the ditches and then stopped suddenly, as
16 I| she felt inclined to move and to stretch her limbs and
17 I| and to stretch her limbs and to repose in the warm, breathless
18 I| took a few undecided steps and closed her eyes, for she
19 I| feeling of animal comfort, and then she went to look for
20 I| them, which she took in and put into the storeroom;
21 I| kitchen annoyed her again, and she went out to sit on the
22 I| their shade all round them, and the thatched roofs, on which
23 I| roofs, on which grew blue and yellow irises, with their
24 I| moisture of the stables and barns were coming through
25 I| the shed, where the carts and buggies were kept. Close
26 I| clumps of trees in places, and groups of laborers here
27 I| groups of laborers here and there, who looked as small
28 I| looked as small as dolls, and white horses like toys,
29 I| threw it into the ditch and sat down upon it. Then,
30 I| undid it, spread it out and lay down upon it at full
31 I| both arms under her head and her legs stretched out.~
32 I| Gradually her eyes closed, and she was falling into a state
33 I| two hands on her bosom, and she sprang up at a bound.
34 I| been herding the sheep, and, seeing her lying down in
35 I| had come up stealthily and holding his breath, with
36 I| breath, with glistening eyes and bits of straw in his hair.~
37 I| she was as strong as he, and he was shrewd enough to
38 I| they sat down side by side and talked amicably. They spoke
39 I| left them for a long time, and it might be forever. She
40 I| be separated like that," and she directed her looks into
41 I| he seized her by the neck and kissed her again, but she
42 I| his nose began to bleed, and he got up and laid his head
43 I| to bleed, and he got up and laid his head against the
44 I| saw that, she was sorry, and going up to him, she said: "
45 I| What a devil!" he said, and he looked at her with admiration,
46 I| with a feeling of respect and of a very different kind
47 I| out for an evening's walk, and said: "It is not nice of
48 I| she asked.~He hesitated and then looked at her sideways,
49 I| jacket; thick, red lips; and her neck, which was almost
50 I| fresh access of desire, and, putting his lips to her
51 I| her arms round his neck and kissed him till they were
52 I| moonlight beside the haystack and gave each other bruises
53 I| scarcely spoke to her, and did not try any longer to
54 I| alone, which made her sad and anxious; and soon she found
55 I| made her sad and anxious; and soon she found that she
56 I| but then she got angry, and her rage increased every
57 I| bare feet, crossed the yard and opened the door of the stable
58 I| she knelt down by his side and shook him until he sat up.~"
59 I| want?" he then asked her. And with clenched teeth, and
60 I| And with clenched teeth, and trembling with anger, she
61 I| promised." But he only laughed and replied: "Oh! if a man were
62 I| could not get away from her, and, half strangling him, she
63 I| as he was almost choked, and so they remained, both of
64 I| both of them, motionless and without speaking, in the
65 I| the hay out of the manger and then slowly munched it.~
66 I| hesitated for a few moments and then said: "I swear it,
67 I| Then she released her grasp and went away without another
68 I| to him for several days; and, as the stable was now always
69 I| come in at dinner time, and she said: "Has Jacques left?" "
70 I| the saucepan off the fire; and later, when they were all
71 I| she went up into her room and cried, burying her head
72 II| ensue, which was irreparable and drawing nearer every day,
73 II| drawing nearer every day, and which was as sure as death
74 II| morning long before the others and persistently tried to look
75 II| notice a change in her, and, during the day, she stopped
76 II| short.~The months went on, and she scarcely spoke now,
77 II| she scarcely spoke now, and when she was asked a question,
78 II| frightened look, haggard eyes and trembling hands, which made
79 II| she hid behind a pillar, and no longer ventured to go
80 II| read people's consciences; and at meal times the looks
81 II| faint with mental agony; and she was always fancying
82 II| the cowherd, a precocious and cunning little lad, whose
83 II| postman brought her a letter, and as she had never received
84 II| not read, she sat anxious and trembling with that piece
85 II| written at regular intervals, and which terminated in a signature,
86 II| half mad with impatience and anxiety, she went to the
87 II| who told her to sit down and read to her as follows:~"
88 II| She did not say a word and went away, but as soon as
89 II| legs gave way under her, and she fell down by the roadside
90 II| fell down by the roadside and remained there till night.~
91 II| the farmer her bad news, and he allowed her to go home
92 II| for as long as she liked, and promised to have her work
93 II| work done by a charwoman and to take her back when she
94 II| soon after she got there, and the next day Rose gave birth
95 II| to make anybody shudder, and which seemed to be suffering
96 II| to take great care of it, and she went back to the farm.~
97 II| which she felt every hour and every minute, because she
98 II| of it the whole day long, and in the evening, when her
99 II| sit in front of the fire and gaze at it intently, as
100 II| began to talk about her and to tease-her about her lover.
101 II| whether he was tall, handsome and rich. When was the wedding
102 II| When was the wedding to be and the christening? And often
103 II| be and the christening? And often she ran away to cry
104 II| like the prick of a pin; and, in order to forget their
105 II| still more energetically, and, still thinking of her child,
106 II| saving up money for it, and determined to work so that
107 II| almost monopolized the work and persuaded him to get rid
108 II| economized in the bread, oil and candles; in the corn, which
109 II| chickens too extravagantly, and in the fodder for the horses
110 II| the fodder for the horses and cattle, which was rather
111 II| if it had been her own; and, by dint of making good
112 II| prices for all their produce, and by baffling the peasants'
113 II| entrusted her with buying and selling everything, with
114 II| direction of all the laborers, and with the purchase of provisions
115 II| farm prospered wonderfully, and for five miles around people
116 II| Master Vallin's servant," and the farmer himself said
117 II| gold."~But time passed by, and her wages remained the same.
118 II| from every good servant, and as a mere token of good
119 II| mere token of good will; and she began to think rather
120 II| neither more nor less; and so she made up her mind
121 II| point in the air, in one, and a piece of bread in the
122 II| piece of bread in the other, and he looked fixedly at, the
123 II| her request immediately, and then added, in some embarrassment
124 III| nearly eight months old, and she did not recognize it.
125 III| recognize it. It had grown rosy and chubby all over, like a
126 III| if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that
127 III| began to scream with terror; and then she began to cry herself,
128 III| because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to
129 III| day it began to know her, and laughed when it saw her,
130 III| laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields,
131 III| took it into the fields, and ran about excitedly with
132 III| about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade
133 III| the shade of the trees; and then, for the first time
134 III| could not understand her, and told him her troubles; how
135 III| work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite
136 III| anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child
137 III| handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed
138 III| confirmation of her maternity; and she would look at it, almost
139 III| surprised 'that it was hers, and would say to herself in
140 III| she returned to the farm and had scarcely got in before
141 III| called her into his room; and she went, feeling astonished
142 III| went, feeling astonished and nervous, without knowing
143 III| he said. She sat down, and for some moments they remained
144 III| know what to do with them, and looking each other in the
145 III| last, he made. up his mind, and began to speak vaguely,
146 III| vaguely, hesitating a little, and looking out of the window
147 III| She grew as pale as death, and, seeing that she gave him
148 III| are a good, steady, active and economical girl; and a wife
149 III| active and economical girl; and a wife like you would make
150 III| not know what else to say, and Rose looked at him with
151 III| to face with a murderer and ready to flee at the slightest
152 III| Will what suit me, master?" And he said quickly: "Why, to
153 III| if she had been struck, and there she remained motionless,
154 III| the farmer grew impatient and said: "Come, what more do
155 III| tears came into her eves and she said twice in a choking
156 III| tomorrow to think it over."~And he hurried out of the room,
157 III| could never have expected and which would be a capital
158 III| become masters in their turn, and the female servants constantly
159 III| as she was, on her bed, and she had not even the strength
160 III| knowing that she had a body, and without being at all able
161 III| something of what had happened, and then she was frightened
162 III| happen. Her terror increased, and every time the great kitchen
163 III| She became bewildered, and had the nightmare; her candle
164 III| nightmare; her candle went out, and then she began to imagine
165 III| people so often imagine, and she felt a mad inclination
166 III| inclination to run away, to escape and to flee before her misfortune,
167 III| over her face, her hair, and all over her body, and then
168 III| and all over her body, and then she went downstairs,
169 III| scrambled over the fence, and as soon as she was outside
170 III| with a quick, springy trot, and from time to time she unconsciously
171 III| shadow accompanied her, and now and then some night
172 III| accompanied her, and now and then some night bird flew
173 III| even jumped over the ditch, and followed her and tried to
174 III| ditch, and followed her and tried to bite her, but she
175 III| her, but she turned round and gave such a terrible yell
176 III| frightened animal ran back and cowered in silence in its
177 III| kennel.~The stars grew dim, and the birds began to twitter;
178 III| breaking. The girl was worn out and panting; and when the sun
179 III| was worn out and panting; and when the sun rose in the
180 III| reflection of this new day, and she limped on slowly with
181 III| pulled off her stockings and plunged her legs into the
182 III| bubbles were rising here and there.~A feeling of delicious
183 III| pervaded her from head to foot, and suddenly, while she was
184 III| was seized with dizziness, and with a mad longing to throw
185 III| wanted peace, complete rest, and to sleep forever, and she
186 III| rest, and to sleep forever, and she got up with raised arms
187 III| got up with raised arms and took two steps forward.
188 III| water up to her thighs, and she was just about to throw
189 III| ankles made her jump back, and she uttered a cry of despair,
190 III| were sucking her lifeblood, and were swelling as they adhered
191 III| not dare to touch them, and screamed with horror, so
192 III| applied herbs to the wounds, and drove the girl to her master'
193 III| in bed for a fortnight, and as she was sitting outside
194 III| the farmer suddenly came and planted himself before her. "
195 III| did not reply at first, and then, as he remained standing
196 III| as he remained standing and looking at her intently
197 III| why?" She began to cry, and repeated: "I cannot." He
198 III| cannot." He looked at her, and then exclaimed angrily: "
199 III| man got as red as a poppy, and stammered out in a rage: "
200 III| you confess it, you slut! And pray who is the fellow?
201 III| suppose? Who is it, I say?" And as she gave him no answer,
202 III| Martin?" "Oh! no, master."~And he angrily mentioned all
203 III| hit upon the right one, and every moment wiped her eyes
204 III| with his brutish obstinacy, and, as it were, scratching
205 III| scratches at a hole to try and get at the animal which
206 III| always talking together, and that you thought about getting
207 III| married."~Rose was choking, and she grew scarlet, while
208 III| her tears suddenly stopped and dried up on her cheeks,
209 III| drops of water on hot iron, and she exclaimed: "No, it is
210 III| partly guessed the truth; and she replied, hastily: "I
211 III| follow you into every corner and devoured you with his eyes
212 III| if he were to come to-day and ask me to marry him I would
213 III| that the farmer hesitated, and then he continued, as if
214 III| it would have been known, and as it has no consequences,
215 III| not the strength to speak, and he asked her again: "You
216 III| she said, with a sigh, and he turned on his heel.~She
217 III| got rid of him altogether and spent the rest of the day
218 III| of the old white horse, and she went to bed as soon
219 III| bed as soon as she could and fell asleep immediately.
220 III| with her she understood and began to tremble violently,
221 III| still heavy from sleep, and quite unprotected, with
222 III| strong in simple natures and very imperfectly protected
223 III| undecided will of inert and gentle races. She turned
224 III| her head now to the wall, and now toward the room, in
225 III| They lived together as man and wife, and one morning he
226 III| together as man and wife, and one morning he said to her: "
227 III| I have put up our banns, and we will get married next
228 IV| she could never get out, and all kinds of misfortunes
229 IV| man whom she had robbed, and who would find it out some
230 IV| it out some day or other. And then she thought of her
231 IV| her happiness on earth, and whom she went to see twice
232 IV| her heart was at rest, and she lived with an easier
233 IV| vague fear floating in it. And so years went on, until
234 IV| his head in his hands, sad and devoured by sorrow. He always
235 IV| sometimes even brutally, and it even seemed as if he
236 IV| boy came for some eggs, and she spoke rather crossly
237 IV| husband suddenly came in and said to her in his unpleasant
238 IV| treat him so." She was hurt and did not reply, and then
239 IV| hurt and did not reply, and then she went back into
240 IV| her grief awakened afresh; and at dinner the farmer neither
241 IV| to her nor looked at her, and he seemed to hate her, to
242 IV| she lost her composure, and did not venture to remain
243 IV| over, but left the room and hastened to the church.~
244 IV| Rose like her last hope, and with her eyes fixed on it,
245 IV| lamp swung up into the air, and almost immediately the small
246 IV| sitting down to dinner, and he made her sit down also. "
247 IV| poor woman nearly fainted, and the priest continued: "What
248 IV| do you want, my child?" And he hastily swallowed several
249 IV| venture to say anything more, and she got up to go, but the
250 IV| priest said: "Courage."~And she went out and returned
251 IV| Courage."~And she went out and returned to the farm without
252 IV| away during her absence, and she fell heavily at his
253 IV| fell heavily at his feet, and, shedding a flood of tears,
254 IV| against me?"~He began to shout and to swear: "What have I got
255 IV| she is not worth anything, and when a woman has no children
256 IV| anything."~She began to cry, and said: "It is not my fault!
257 IV| gentle when he heard that, and added: "I do not say that
258 V| confided her wish to everybody, and, in consequence of this,
259 V| there are some secret ways?" And they tried to find out.
260 V| who lived ten leagues off, and so Vallin one day drove
261 V| was kneaded up with herbs, and each of them was to eat
262 V| schoolmaster unveiled mysteries and processes of love which
263 V| Rose went with the crowd and prostrated herself in the
264 V| prostrated herself in the abbey, and, mingling her prayers with
265 V| time; but it was in vain, and then she thought that she
266 V| punished for her first fault, and she was seized by terrible
267 V| also aging prematurely, and was wearing himself out
268 V| them; he called her names and beat her. They quarrelled
269 V| quarrelled all day long, and when they were in their
270 V| at night he flung insults and obscenities at her, choking
271 V| he ordered her to get up and go and stand out of doors
272 V| ordered her to get up and go and stand out of doors in the
273 V| he seized her by the neck and began to strike her in the
274 V| fists, but she said nothing and did not move. In his exasperation
275 V| he knelt on her stomach, and with clenched teeth, and
276 V| and with clenched teeth, and mad with rage, he began
277 V| her despair she rebelled, and flinging him against the
278 V| furious gesture, she sat up, and in an altered voice she
279 V| The man was thunderstruck and could hardly speak, but
280 V| Then she began to sob, and amid her tears she continued: "
281 V| got up, lit the candle, and began to walk up and down,
282 V| candle, and began to walk up and down, with his arms behind
283 V| was cowering on the bed and crying, and suddenly he
284 V| cowering on the bed and crying, and suddenly he stopped in front
285 V| stopped in front of her, and said: "Then it is my fault
286 V| She gave him no answer, and he began to walk up and
287 V| and he began to walk up and down again, and then, stopping
288 V| walk up and down again, and then, stopping again, he
289 V| up with some difficulty, and then, when she was standing
290 V| laugh of his good days, and, seeing how surprised she
291 V| Very well, we will go and fetch the child, as you
292 V| fetch the child, as you and I can have none together."~
293 V| farmer rubbed his hands and said: "I wanted to adopt
294 V| I wanted to adopt one, and now we have found one. I
295 V| laughing, he kissed his weeping and agitated wife on both cheeks,
296 V| agitated wife on both cheeks, and shouted out, as though she
297 V| along, mother, we will go and see whether there is any
298 V| She put on her petticoat and they went downstairs; and
299 V| and they went downstairs; and While she was kneeling in
300 V| in front of the fireplace and lighting the fire under
301 V| he continued to walk up and down the kitchen with long
|