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286 cried Martine, "to be talking of making love at his time of life!"

"Why not? Now that you have put the idea into my head, I have a great mind to marry again."

"Much good may it do you! But, after all, boys will be boys!"

December 6th. St. Nicholas Day,

I got out of bed this morning to do honor to the anniversary, and they rolled my great armchair between the table and the window, set a footwarmer under my feet, and placed a little desk before me, with a socket for the candle.

About ten o'clock appeared the brotherhood of sailors, boat-builders, and workmen on the river. First came their players and the banner, and then they all passed by our windows arm in arm, dancing and singing, on their way to church, perhaps to the wineshop later. They saw me and stopped to cheer, so I stood up, and my patron saint and I exchanged salutations. Then I leaned down and shook as many of their black paws as I could reach, and poured a drop or two into each of the big mouths, though it was like trying to sprinkle a field.

My four sons came at twelve o'clock to offer