“Ah! the rascals,” he gayly exclaimed.  “They are awake, you see!  Oh! well, we may let them come, since to-day is Sunday.”

For a few moments there had been a noise as of an aviary in commotion in the adjoining room.  Prattling, shrill chirping, and ringing bursts of laughter could be heard.  Then came a noise as of pillows and bolsters flying about, while two little fists continued pummelling the partition as if it were a drum.

“Yes, yes,” said the mother, smiling and anxious, “answer them; tell them to come.  They will be breaking everything if you don’t.”

Thereupon the father himself struck the wall, at which a victorious outburst, cries of triumphal delight, arose on the other side.  And Mathieu scarcely had time to open the door before tramping and scuffling could be heard in the passage.  A triumphal entry followed.  All four of them wore long nightdresses falling to their little bare feet, and they trotted along and laughed, with their brown hair streaming about, their faces quite pink, and their eyes radiant with candid delight.  Ambroise, though he was younger than his brothers, marched first, for he was the boldest and most enterprising.  Behind him came the twins, Blaise and Denis, who were less turbulent—­the latter especially.  He taught the others to read, while Blaise, who was rather shy and timid, remained the dreamer of them all.  And each gave a hand to little Mademoiselle Rose, who looked like an angel, pulled now to the right and now to the left amid bursts of laughter, while she contrived to keep herself steadily erect.

“Ah! mamma,” cried Ambroise, “it’s dreadfully cold, you know; do make me a little room.”

Forthwith he bounded into the bed, slipped under the coverlet, and nestled close to his mother, so that only his laughing face and fine curly hair could be seen.  But at this the two others raised a shout of war, and rushed forward in their turn upon the besieged citadel.

“Make a little room for us, mamma, make a little room!  By your back, mamma!  Near your shoulder, mamma!”

Only little Rose remained on the floor, feeling quite vexed and indignant.  She had vainly attempted the assault, but had fallen back.  “And me, mamma, and me,” she pleaded.

It was necessary to help her in her endeavors to hoist herself up with her little hands.  Then her mother took her in her arms in order that she might have the best place of all.  Mathieu had at first felt somewhat anxious at seeing Marianne thus disturbed, but she laughed and told him not to trouble.  And then the picture they all presented as they nestled there was so charming, so full of gayety, that he also smiled.

“It’s very nice, it’s so warm,” said Ambroise, who was fond of taking his ease.

But Denis, the reasonable member of the band, began to explain why it was they had made so much noise “Blaise said that he had seen a spider.  And then he felt frightened.”