“The following month they returned.  She was calm, self-controlled.  That day they chattered for a long time, and they left me a rather large order.  I saw her three more times, without suspecting anything.  But one day she began to talk to me of my life, of my childhood, of my parents.  I answered:  ‘Madame, my parents were wretches who deserted me.’  Then she clutched at her heart and fell, unconscious.  I immediately thought:  ’She is my mother!’ but I took care not to let her notice anything.  I wished to observe her.

“I, in turn, sought out information about them.  I learned that they had been married since last July, my mother having been a widow for only three years.  There had been rumors that they had loved each other during the lifetime of the first husband, but there was no proof of it.  I was the proof—­the proof which they had at first hidden and then hoped to destroy.

“I waited.  She returned one evening, escorted as usual by my father.  That day she seemed deeply moved, I don’t know why.  Then, as she was leaving, she said to me:  ’I wish you success, because you seem to me to be honest and a hard worker; some day you will undoubtedly think of getting married.  I have come to help you to choose freely the woman who may suit you.  I was married against my inclination once and I know what suffering it causes.  Now I am rich, childless, free, mistress of my fortune.  Here is your dowry.’

“She held out to me a large, sealed envelope.

“I looked her straight in the eyes and then said:  ‘Are you my mother?’

“She drew back a few steps and hid her face in her hands so as not to see me.  He, the man, my father, supported her in his arms and cried out to me:  ‘You must be crazy!’

“I answered:  ’Not in the least.  I know that you are my parents.  I cannot be thus deceived.  Admit it and I will keep the secret; I will bear you no ill will; I will remain what I am, a carpenter.’

“He retreated towards the door, still supporting his wife who was beginning to sob.  Quickly I locked the door, put the key in my pocket and continued:  ‘Look at her and dare to deny that she is my mother.’

“Then he flew into a passion, very pale, terrified at the thought that the scandal, which had so far been avoided, might suddenly break out; that their position, their good name, their honor might all at once be lost.  He stammered out:  ’You are a rascal, you wish to get money from us!  That’s the thanks we get for trying to help such common people!’

“My mother, bewildered, kept repeating:  ’Let’s get out of here, let’s get out!’

“Then, when he found the door locked, he exclaimed:  ’If you do not open this door immediately, I will have you thrown into prison for blackmail and assault!’

“I had remained calm; I opened the door and saw them disappear in the darkness.

“Then I seemed to have been suddenly orphaned, deserted, pushed to the wall.  I was seized with an overwhelming sadness, mingled with anger, hatred, disgust; my whole being seemed to rise up in revolt against the injustice, the meanness, the dishonor, the rejected love.  I began to run, in order to overtake them along the Seine, which they had to follow in order to reach the station of Chaton.