Chapeau marched up through the village at the head of the little procession to bear the brunt of the father’s anger, as his station in life, and standing in the army made him feel superior even to the fury of old Michael Stein.  As they approached the door of the smith’s house, they saw him sitting in the little porch with a pipe in his mouth, for Michael was never found without one or two implements; he had always either his hammer or his pipe in lull activity.

“Welcome back to Echanbroignes, M. Chapeau, welcome back,” said the old man.  “I am heartily glad to see so brave a soldier in my poor cabin!” and he gave his hand to Jacques.

“And here be two other brave soldiers, Michael Stein, who, I hope, are also welcome to Echanbroignes; and this I will say, any father in Poitou might be proud to own them for his Sons:  for gallanter fellows there are not in the whole army of La Vendee, and that is saying a long word.”

There was a little crowd round the smith’s house, and in spite of his unmilitary predilections, he could not help feeling proud at the public testimony that was paid to his sons’ merits:  he showed this by the tear that stood in his eye, as he said: 

“They are welcome too, M. Chapeau; they are very welcome too.  I am glad to see ye, safe and sound from the wars, lads.  I am glad to see thee, Jean:  I am glad to see thee, Peter,” and he gave a hand to each of the two young men, who were delighted with their unexpected kind reception.  “And this I will say before the neighbours here, as ye would go to the wars, and make soldiers of yourselves, I am well pleased to hear ye behaved yourselves like gallant brave men should do.  I’d sooner that your friends should have had to tell me that ye were both stiff and cold, than that ye should have returned yourselves with shamed faces to own that ye had disgraced the trade ye have chosen to take up with.”

“Bravo!  Bravo!” said Chapeau, “I am glad in my heart, Michael Stein, to hear you speak so kindly to the lads; and so will M. Henri be glad to hear it, for they are two of his own especial troop—­they are two of the gallant red scarfs, who swam into Saumur with their muskets tucked under their arms.”

“But understand me, boys,” continued the smith, still speaking so that the neighbours standing round could hear him.  “I am right glad to see both of you, as I am to see M. Chapeau, or any other gallant friend who is kind enough to visit me and Annot.  But mind, it is as visitors I receive you; in a few days, doubtless, you must go away to the wars again; till then ye shall have the best I can give, both to eat and to drink.  Ye shall have your own way, and never be asked to do a turn of work.  Ye shall have gay holyday times, and holyday fare, and anything the old man can do, and anything the old man can give to make you merry, he will do, and he will give, because you have come back gallantly, and have not brought dishonour to the roost