At the sight of the lamp, the stove, and the visitor, who stands there like a magician in the midst of these wonders, they draw back almost frightened.  Paulette is the first to comprehend it, and the arrival of the grandmother, who is more slowly mounting the stairs, finishes the explanation.  Then come tears, ecstasies, thanks!

But the wonders are not yet ended.  The little sister opens the oven, and discovers some chestnuts just roasted; the grandmother puts her hand on the bottles of cider arranged on the dresser; and I draw forth from the basket that I have hidden a cold tongue, a pot of butter, and some fresh rolls.

Now their wonder turns into admiration; the little family have never seen such a feast!  They lay the cloth, they sit down, they eat; it is a complete banquet for all, and each contributes his share to it.  I had brought only the supper:  and the bandbox-maker and her children supplied the enjoyment.

What bursts of laughter at nothing!  What a hubbub of questions which waited for no reply, of replies which answered no question!  The old woman herself shared in the wild merriment of the little ones!  I have always been struck at the ease with which the poor forget their wretchedness.  Being used to live only for the present, they make a gain of every pleasure as soon as it offers itself.  But the surfeited rich are more difficult to satisfy:  they require time and everything to suit before they will consent to be happy.

The evening has passed like a moment.  The old woman told me the history of her life, sometimes smiling, sometimes drying her eyes.  Perrine sang an old ballad with her fresh young voice.  Henry told us what he knows of the great writers of the day, to whom he has to carry their proofs.  At last we were obliged to separate, not without fresh thanks on the part of the happy family.

I have come home slowly, ruminating with a full heart, and pure enjoyment, on the simple events of my evening.  It has given me much comfort and much instruction.  Now, no New-Year’s Day will come amiss to me; I know that no one is so unhappy as to have nothing to give and nothing to receive.

As I came in, I met my rich neighbor’s new equipage.  She, too, had just returned from her evening’s party; and, as she sprang from the carriage-step with feverish impatience, I heard her murmur “At last!”

I, when I left Paulette’s family, said “So soon!”

CHAPTER II

THE CARNIVAL

February 20th

What a noise out of doors!  What is the meaning of these shouts and cries?  Ah!  I recollect:  this is the last day of the Carnival, and the maskers are passing.

Christianity has not been able to abolish the noisy bacchanalian festivals of the pagan times, but it has changed the names.  That which it has given to these “days of liberty” announces the ending of the feasts, and the month of fasting which should follow; carn-ival means, literally, “farewell to flesh!” It is a forty days’ farewell to the “blessed pullets and fat hams,” so celebrated by Pantagruel’s minstrel.  Man prepares for privation by satiety, and finishes his sin thoroughly before he begins to repent.