Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 deals extensively with Marjolin and Cadine's beginnings at Les Halles. No one is certain of Marjolin's origins, as he has always lived at Les Halles. Marjolin always manages to find something to eat and a place to sleep at night. He goes from stall to stall, visiting all the vendors and becomes a child belonging to all of them equally. When he is around four years old, Marjolin notices Cadine walking with Mère Chantemesse and decides that he would like to be part of their little "family." Both of them are adopted by Mère Chantemesse; a widow who, having already lost three sons in infancy, loves children. Mère Chantemesse loves the children as much as those she birthed out of her body. She is kind yet strict at times and is not hesitant to discipline the children roughly when...