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Rh of the foreman, Gina had affected a supreme indifference to what was occurring. Far from seeking to excuse the so-called fault of Vincent Tilbak, she had not even interceded in Laurent's favor. On the contrary, as soon as she heard of her cousin's relations with "common people," she outdid her former coldness and disdain, ceasing even to speak to him of the scandal that was turning the house upside down. During the boy's quarantine, for Tilbak and his book had given the boy the pestilence, the proud little lady had not once asked for him. And when he was put back into circulation she hardly deigned to recognize him.

And in despite of this, Laurent retained illusions concerning his cousin's character. He imputed her dryness and her lack of feeling to her education. How could she be interested in the working classes, people whose existence she scarcely suspected? She never came in contact with them, and she heard them spoken of by her parents as a fourth kingdom of nature, a tool, an animated mineral less interesting than plants, and more dangerous than animals.

He found Gina alone in the dining room, watering the hyacinths that flourished in the window-boxes. Emboldened by his affection for Vincent, Laurent came up to her and began without preamble:

"Gina, Cousin Gina, ask your father to reinstate Vincent Tilbak …"

"—Vincent," she answered, continuing to tend to her aristocratic flowers, "I do not know Vincent Tilbak …"

"The foreman of the packing room, whom Monsieur Saint-Fardier discharged …"

"Ah! Now I know whom you mean. 'The Swiss Family Robinson!' The man who made us all angry