4 STORIES FROM DAUDET

a little recovered from my fright, I
noticed that our master had on his
new green overcoat, his fine plaited
frill, and the embroidered black silk
skull-cap which he put on for the
inspection days or the prize distribu-
tions. Besides, all the class wore a
curious solemn look. But what sur-
prised me most of all was to see at the
end of the room, on the seats which
were usually empty, a number of the.
village elders seated and silent like the
rest of us; old Hansor with his cocked
hat, the former mayor, the old post-
man, and a lot of other people.
Everybody looked melancholy; and
Hansor had brought an old spelling-
book, ragged at the edges, which he
held wide open on his knees, with his
big spectacles laid across the pages.

While I was wondering over all
this, M. Hamel had placed himself in
his chair, and with the same grave, soft
voice in which he had spoken to me,
he addressed us: