" Toine!" " What is it?" "The engineer wants you to stop by his office." " You mean Mr Honoré?" " Yeah." "Tell him to get stuffed!" "I've nothing to say to him!" "Get out of here!" "Roadhog!" "Say, Toine!" " Why didn't you come?" " Something to say, Mr Engineer?" "Why are you calling me that?" "We went to school together, remember?" "We used first names until last week." " I don't remember, Mr Engineer." " Don't be silly!" "I'm engaged." " To whom?" " Béatrice, the boss's daughter." "The wedding's in three weeks." "I adore her, and I think she loves me." " Why are you telling me?" " Because it's true." "And because I think you're grumpy with me because you imagine I'm courting Naiis." "I didn't imagine you giving her two raises in three months." "When you come to the factory, you smile at her a bit too sweetly." "I saw it with my own eyes." "You saw it, and it's true." " There!" "You see?" " See what?" "I've always been nice to Naiis, because she's an excellent worker, because I'm your friend, and because I know you love her." "Me?" "Of course I love her." "Everyone loves her." "Who wouldn't?" "You don't love her like everyone else." "You love her more than anyone ever has." "I can see that." "Have you taken a good look at Naiis?" " She's pure sunshine." " She is pretty." "Pretty?" "She's more than pretty!" "She's beautiful." "How could I dare love her?" "I'd have to be out of my mind." "Me, Toine?" "The hunchback?" "She sees a lot of you." "Her father won't let her speak to anyone else." "Her father's a piece of work." "Sometimes he thrashes her." " Who told you that?" " She had bruises all over her legs." "Bruises as thick as my finger." "Old Micoulin is a real brute." "He's so mean, sometimes he goes crazy." "More jealous than he'd be with a wife." "He lets her see me, as I'm a childhood pal." "I walk her from the factory to the Micoulin garden after work." "There's no harm in her seeing me." "It doesn't count, you see." "A hunchback!" "Hunchbacks indeed." "The Duke of Lauzun was a hunchback." "I'm sure some of us come from very good stock." "Dukes, even princes." "But a title won't straighten a back." "The Duke of Lauzun had more than 500 mistresses." "That's because he was a duke with lots of dough." "He seduced rich princesses!" "He secretly married the king's sister." " He was a hunchback?" " A hunchback." "But what kind of hunchback?" " A big hunchback or a little one?" " An ordinary one." "No such thing." "Every hunchback is different." "I know what I'm talking about." "Well, he was a hunchback like..." "I never saw him, did I?" "Right." " And women liked him?" " All of them did!" "Well!" "I didn't know that." "My friends could have told me." "I'm your friend, and I'm telling you." "Usually, in the novels I read," "I mean, in the romance novels I buy, the lover is always described as tall, slim, and elegant." "So, after a while, I just figured..." " You understand?" " Sure." "People always say a handsome man is straight as an "i"." "But "i"s aren't always straight." "And why should "i" be the nicest letter in the alphabet?" "What about "z"?" "That's nice, too." "It gets used a lot." "It's the last letter in the alphabet." "It's often at the end of a word." "Except in Zenobia, where it's the first letter." "There's a "z" in Lauzun." "See?" "A hunchback, with a "z" in his name, to boot." "The princesses loved him." " Where did you read that?" " History books." "The history of France?" "It's funny, in our schoolbook, this nice hunchback wasn't mentioned." "I guess it wasn't a big book, and there wasn't room for everything." " You can't teach kids everything." " True." "Mind you, I'm not saying all children should be told, but it seems to me, one day after class, the teacher should dismiss all the kids and just keep the little lame kids and the little hunchbacks." "Then, in fine teacherly style, he'd tell them the story of the Duke of Lauzun." "It would be very useful, Henri." "It would interest them more than hearing about Clodio the Hairy." "No disrespect to Clodio the Hairy, but Lauzun..." "Some children are very sad, Henri." "They pretend to laugh all the time, because they always feel like crying." "People say, "I laughed so hard I was bent double."" "If they told the little hunchbacks about Lauzun, they'd laugh less often, because they wouldn't need to." "I'll lend you a book about him." "Thanks, Henri." "You're a good friend." " So, he married the king's sister?" " The Grande Mademoiselle." "The Grande Mademoiselle." " She was beautiful, of course?" " Very beautiful." "You see, education really is a good thing." " When will you lend me the book?" " Later, back at the factory." "I wonder if Naiis has heard about Lauzun." "I don't think so, but I'm sure she will soon." "Oh, no!" "Not from me." "A little modesty, Henri." "It shouldn't come from me." "Anyway, I won't be seeing her today." "She didn't come to the factory, because today she went to Aix, to take fruit and fish to Mr Rostaing." "Mr Rostaing is the owner of Micoulin's farm." "Rostaing, the lawyer?" "That's right, the man of the law." "His son is very nice." "They come here for the holidays every year." "Frédéric is my friend." "He's a student." "Isn't it funny?" "Me, a tile worker," "I have two friends much more learned and much richer than I am." "You're an engineer, and Frédéric is in law school." "I like that a lot." "I like having friends better than me." "It's to my advantage." " Is Micoulin's rent high?" " He doesn't pay a cent!" "Mr Rostaing pays half the costs, and they split the harvest." "It isn't much." "That's why Micoulin is also a fisherman." "He's got a lovely boat, La Nais." "He goes out to set traps and nets, to earn some more." "Lauzun..." "Well, I'll be." "We can't tell Micoulin, or he'd never let me see Naiis." "He's be suspicious." " He might be right." " No, he wouldn't!" "Naiis is 18." "He must know she isn't on Earth to get her ears boxed by old Micoulin." "One day, she could fall in love." "What if it were with me?" "I don't expect so, but if luck smiled on by hunchback," "I swear I wouldn't make her unhappy." "I'm sure." "You're generosity itself." "I'm no ogre, but that's going a bit far." "Generosity itself..." " I was angry with you, after all." " That's over." "It is over, that it is." "After the present you gave me, Lauzun!" "Well, say, Henri!" "I hope your fiancée adores you." "That she'd die for you." "That her heart skips a beat when she sees you." "That she loves you..." "That she loves you like I love Naiis." "Goodbye, Henri." "It's lunchtime." "See you later, Toine." " Henri!" " Yes?" "You won't forget the book?" "Lauzun?" " Yes, yes." " Thanks." "Lauzun!" "What about it, Frédéric?" " Plus 100 francs." " That's rich!" "I need to make up the 1,800 francs I lost." " Yesterday, you won over 3,000." " Simone the tramp took it." "Plus thirty." "I'll thank you to watch your mouth, especially with company present!" "I've got your 3,000 francs." "But you've owed me 1,500 for two months." "True." "Now you only owe me 1,500 francs." "I don't owe you anything." "A gentleman gives his mistress gifts." "And he doesn't try to take them back." " You gave me that money." " I don't remember." " I wonder if he's working too hard." " Work never killed anyone." "At exam time, I worked harder than he." "Sometimes, I only slept five hours a night for weeks on end." "But you're a Rostaing, of peasant stock." "Whereas you, née de Villemomble, are a very aristocratic branch on a family tree that goes back" " all the way to the Crusades?" " And proud of it." "But I admit that blue blood, for all its qualities, doesn't stand up as well as commoner blood." "Frédéric is like his grand-uncle, the vidame." "Who passed on the distinguished air, the fine features, the fine feelings and noble character that did that gentleman credit." "I just hope Frédéric hasn't inherited the taste for gambling that made your glorious ancestor cheat." "Surely inadvertently." "Cheating got him into the duel that cost him his life." "That's how it was back then." "That's neither here nor there." "I'm telling you, Frédéric is sick." "Night before last, he wouldn't dine." " Plus 200." " I'll see that." "Four queens." "Four kings." "All this for young Fred!" " By the way, I gave you nothing." " You were too drunk to remember!" "I had to splash your face in the fountain!" "I remember that part." "If I'd let you go home, the scales would have fallen from Mater's eyes." "Yes, and I'd have lost the benefits of 10 years of hypocrisy." "I'll start." "Is that worth 1,500 francs?" "Yeah." "You fleeced me while I was drunk, but you earned it." " You can keep it." " You're a peach." "Plus 200!" "He went straight to bed, with a migraine." "He couldn't even say his prayers." "When I looked in, he was flushed and hiccuping, and his hair was soaking." " I'll tell him to ease up." " The exam schedules are absurd." " They risk our children's lives." " Dearest, we can't change that." "The boy is tougher than you think." "And the holidays are coming up." "On July 1, you can go to stay at La Rouguiere, near Micoulin's." "Sea air, softened by the pines, rest under the olive trees," "I think that would be enough to cure the poor child's migraines." "Yes, that would be very good." "But will he come?" " You know he hates the countryside." " I'll order him to go." "No orders!" "He's much too delicate for such brutality." " No, I'll broach it to him." " Alright." " Where are you off to?" " Micoulin's delivery." "Naiis has brought fish and vegetables." "Micoulin sends fewer vegetables now." "He's always blamed the mistral wind, frost, or hail." " But he does send us very good fish." " It evens out." "Unfortunately not, my dear." "The vegetables are our property." "The fish are not, so I have to pay for them." " Hello, Naiis." " Hello, Ma'am." "Ah, the baskets!" "This looks much better than last month's batch." "Last month, there wasn't much." "And you told your father I wasn't happy." "Yes, I told him." " Maybe that helped the vegetables." " Maybe." " This is lovely." " Caught this morning." "Amélie!" "The scale and the ledger." "The ledger's in the drawer." "Where are you going?" "Off to tea with Old Lady Crussol, two or three old maids, her seminarian nephew, and probably a couple of priests." "Old Lady Crussol looks like a beadle, so you can imagine the party." " What do those people talk about?" " Religion and food." " And what do you do?" " I fit right in." "I speak quietly, and when they discuss morals, I look skyward and say," ""Those poor lost souls!"" " I get my jollies." " Just to please the folks." "My father's a dunce, but my mother's a good woman." "She's a bit crazy, of course." "I can do as I please, if I play the game." "I'm used to it." "And it makes her so happy!" "That's fine." "Tell your father I'm quite satisfied." "Here." "Thank you, Ma'am." "My father sends his greetings." "He asked after you and Mr Rostaing." "We're quite well." " And Mr Frédéric." " He's doing alright, too." "The other day, my father wondered if Frédéric was a lawyer yet." "Frédéric is only three years older than you." "Oh yes, that's right." "I'm 18, so that makes him 21." "He turned 21 on March 1." "He's not at all behind in his studies." "He doesn't want to plead before he's 25." "Have you had lunch?" "Yes, I stopped at my godmother's in Trois-Lucs." "I go to her restaurant when I'm here." "Tell me, in what state is our villa in La Rouguiere?" "Very tidy." "My father gives me the key, and I go up to clean and air it." "It's always ready." "I might come this summer." "Very good." "With Mr Frédéric?" "Should I make up his room?" " Assume he'll be there." " Yes, Ma'am." "'Til the 15th of next month." "Understood, Ma'am." "Goodbye, Ma'am." " Goodbye, Amélie." " Goodbye, Naiis." " Good manners, for a country girl." " And she's as pretty as a picture." "Sadly, country girls fade fast." "Naiis!" "Is that you, Naiis?" "Yes, Mr Frédéric, it's me." "You look all grown up!" "That's because I am." "Of course." "I'm really impressed." "I can't get over it." "Do you remember our holidays three years ago?" "Yes, I do." "It was a lovely vacation." "We played hide-and-seek." " Do you remember?" " Yes." " Yes, I remember." " You were pretty, but now..." "You're beautiful." "Are you aware of that?" "You're just making fun of me." "You've already got a lady's bodice." "My mother." "Glad to have seen you." "My best to your father and Toine." "I'll tell them." " Is poor Toine still a hunchback?" " Yes, Mr Frédéric." "God gave him quite a cross to bear." " Is he working?" " Yes, at the tileworks, with me." "That's fine, then." "Goodbye, Naiis." "Goodbye, Ma'am." "Goodbye, Mr Frédéric." "Do you know my son?" " Fernand?" " That's right, Fernand." "I've only ever known him by sight." "I still only know him by sight." "I see him down by the gate." "He's pacing like a sick pig!" "He didn't dare come with me..." "A good thing, too." "I don't plan to make friends." " Why not?" " Because..." " He's a good boy." " That's nice." "He's decent, hard-working, all of that." "And an only child!" " Too bad for you." " Why?" " If he dies..." " You want him to die?" "No." "But if he keeps chasing after my daughter, if he jumps the fence at night to serenade her," "I'll pump two bullets into him." "No more, no less." "Micoulin, if I thought he had base intentions," "I'd understand and side with you." "But you can see I've got my collar and tie on." "Don't you know why I'm here?" "Yes." "You're here to say, "Give me your daughter."" "But I'm not giving her away." "I'm keeping her." "Does your son get up when the mule has colic?" "Does he water the animals?" "Does he hoe the vines?" "My daughter cooks and cleans." "She'll stay here." "Because I need her here." "You'll keep her as a servant forever?" "I will if I feel like it!" "My mare had a baby mare." "That little mare is mine." "It was born and raised on my farm." "My daughter was born and raised here." "So she's mine." "Anyway, she's a child." "The idea of a boy taking her to his bed!" "I won't have it!" "Micoulin, you're being selfish!" "Are you sure Naiis will really like being an old maid?" "She'd better like it." "She'd better!" " Did your son talk to her?" " Of course!" "One day, on the streetcar platform." " What did he say?" " That he wanted to marry her." "Little bastard!" " What did she say?" " That he'd have to ask her father." "If she said that, it means she doesn't want him." "And if that's so, then we're done talking." "So, tell your son not to skulk around here anymore." "Remind him he's your only son." "Your only son." "Fine." "Goodbye and good riddance!" ""The haughty princess, wracked by passion," ""humiliated herself in a joyful frenzy before her torturer."" "Her torturer!" "Humiliated in a joyful frenzy..." "Talking to yourself?" "Being a hunchback isn't enough?" "Don't be angry." "Henri lent me this book." "Henri Honoré Bernier." "What do you want with a book?" "Get to work, lazybones!" "That porpoise made a huge hole!" "Hurry, or we won't be able to cast." " Where's Naiis?" " Mr Rostaing's, in Aix." "I know that, you fool!" "Why isn't she back?" "It's 6:30 pm!" "The train only gets in at six." "There she is!" "Here's 235 francs." "I spent 12 francs for the train, but she reimbursed me." "Here." "Hurry up." "I'm off to water the crops." " Did she say anything?" " She said it was better this time." "That's alright, then." " You ate at Nathalie's?" " Yes." " With her?" " Yes." "Did you go in through the restaurant?" "Through the back, like you said." "You can't cross a carters' restaurant." "I'm off to do the watering." " Is Mrs Rostaing well?" " She seems to be." "And Frédéric?" "Did you see him?" "Yes, I met him in the hallway." "He's a gentleman, now." "Sure he is!" "Soon, he'll be a lawyer, saving killers from the chop." "What a job!" "It takes a lot of spit, mind." " Did he speak to you?" " He said hello." "See?" "He's not a snob." "I'm sure he'd talk to me like before." "I wouldn't call him "Mr"." "He wouldn't want me to... to." "That porpoise made a lot of holes." "It's got to be dragging a good long rope behind it." "It must look like an underwater kite." "Mrs Rostaing said she might spend the summer here." " With Frédéric?" " I think so." "Naiis!" "You're saying Frédéric is coming." "My friend Frédéric!" "Sure, I'll call him "Mr" at first, with his collar and tie, but when he's scruffed up a bit, it'll be just like before." "I'm not sure about that." "Sure, it will." "Mrs Rostaing says what she means." "She doesn't say anything lightly." "If Frédéric comes, I'll have him read Lauzun." "What's that?" "A book Bernier lent me." "It's French history." "You're interested in history?" "Sure." "Not all of it." "There's too much." "But some bits are amusing." "For example, the Duke of Lauzun." "History isn't my cup of tea." "Oh, but this part really is." "It's the story of a man all women liked." "He seduced the king's sister, the Grande Mademoiselle, and then Mademoiselle de La Ferté..." "Here, you'll see." "Listen." ""To general amazement, the country gentleman" ""took on a pre... preponderant role at court," ""protected by the women." ""When he appeared, amorous storms blew through the halls of Versailles." ""The haughtiest became gentle" ""and publicly vied for his favours."" "It's true, there are men like that." "There are indeed." "Men with charm, a pleasant voice, a scent to turn your head, men who know how to talk, and smile..." "He knew all of that." "And yet... he was..." "He was what?" "Well, he was... he was..." " Out with it!" " Well, he was..." "Watch out!" "Go make dinner." "I want to eat early." "We'll cast the nets later." "Back to work." " You don't seem happy." " Why do you say that?" "You look odd." "A mistress?" " Not yet." " You're working on it." "Maybe." "I met a sweet girl a few days ago." "A kind of fairy." "It was a shock." "Actually, I feel..." " Rich?" " No, why?" "You look like you're thinking marriage." " No!" "It's my farmer's daughter." " Oh!" "Three years ago," "I kissed her now and then." "Flirting." "She was very young." "So was I." "But since then..." "She's grown up." " You too." " That's right." "I'd like to pick up where we left off." "On our property in La Rouguiere, near Cassis." "That's what I'm plotting." " You need a plot to go there?" " That's not it!" "I've often told my father it's dull." "Every time he's asked me to go, I've refused." "If I suddenly ask to spend two months there," " my mother will suspect." " Sounds complicated." "Family relations are complicated." "But, with a little play-acting," "I'll make sure we vacation there." "The archpriest was brilliant." "He's always a delight to listen to." "He is indeed." "When he talked about hepcats, saying they were under Satan's standard," "I was impressed." "Not that I'm a hepcat." "Of course not." "But he said you looked poorly." " Did he?" " As did Mrs Crussol." "He looks like a plaster bust." "Exams are coming up, and we're studying hard." "It's very tiring." "The law is very interesting." "It's a wonderful thing." "The foundation of civilization." "The '92 edict on common walls may seem boring, but when you look closer..." "It's a gem." "That may be, but it's no reason to ruin your health!" "He can rest after his exams." "I've been thinking about that." "I know I've been acting strong and silent, but deep down, I can tell that..." "Oh, no, Mother!" "I'm not saying something's wrong!" "But I could be better." " You see?" " Please don't get upset, Mother." "I'll make it through my exams." "But I'll need a month or two of rest." "Lovely to hear you talk sense." "He always talks sense!" "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know." "A quiet place, with no city types." "Naturally." "Maybe... sea air." "But not directly." "Not too close to the sea." "There should be... pines to soften and scent it." " You understand?" " Yes, I do." "Why don't we go to La Rouguiere?" "That's an idea." "Yes, that's it!" "I'll bring Amélie." "We'll have Naiis do the cleaning." "I'll leave you Rosalie." " You'll come to see us weekends." " Of course." "What a perfectly lovely idea." "There's still a month to go." "We'll manage." "Mother, may I be excused?" "I have a hard day tomorrow, and I'd like to get to bed early." "You're quite right." "Goodnight, son." "You're not well, either!" "You say I'm sickly, but you're not very robust." "Get to bed early, for me." "Goodnight, Mother." "Goodnight, darling." "I'm so proud of that child." " Let's hope that continues." " You fear he'll change?" "He seems too well-behaved." "He could snap, all of a sudden." "I couldn't be happier if you'd given me 1,000 francs!" "It's true, Mrs Rostaing!" "When Naiis got the request to prepare Frédéric's room," "I did it myself." "I whitewashed the walls, and as for the bugs..." "What?" "There were bugs?" "Huge ones!" "When I pulled down the wall coverings, they scattered like a bag of coffee beans." "They're gone, now." "Three coats of whitewash..." "It's clean." "Naiis prepared the floors, and I painted the shutters." "Toine!" " Help me!" " With what?" "Putting this trunk down!" "How am I supposed to put mine down?" "Frédéric!" "Don't strain yourself!" " You're here to rest." " Don't worry, Mother." "Take this chair under the pines." "That trunk goes to Mr Frédéric's room." "The other goes downstairs." "Naiis!" "Come with me." "He looks fit to croak, that one." "Not likely!" "He's just tired from studying." "It's draining." "Fresh air will ruddy his cheeks." "Just wait three days." "I don't know if it's his studies, but he looks fit to croak." "Is that so?" " Your mother sent this out to you." " Thank you." "Put it behind my back." "Just between us, I don't need it." "But it makes her so happy." " Aren't you sick?" " No, I'm not!" "Barely tired." "I'll be fine in no time." " If I don't get bored." " If I had nothing to do," "I'd never be bored." "The factory bores me." " You work at the factory with Toine?" " Yes, at the time clock." "No manual labor?" "No." "But I do that here." "Since Mama died, I take care of everything." "You'll keep working at the tileworks?" "No, I'll be here for the holidays, doing housework." "Your mother asked me to." "Toine will be here, too!" "He'll run errands with the donkey and sleep in the shed." "Tell me..." "Is your father kind to you?" "He treats me like he treats everyone." "Naiis!" "Where'd you get to?" "Call this working?" "Tell your father I'd like a word." "What for, Mr Frédéric?" "Tell your father I'd like a word." " You asked to see me, Mr Frédéric?" " Yes." "I have several things to say." " Did you just call Miss Naiis?" " Sure, that was me." " You shouted for her very loudly." " Me?" "I mean to say..." "You shouted so loud that I got a very unpleasant impression." "Well, out here in the country..." "Of course, I know." "It's just..." "I'd ask you not to shout, in future." "I've worked very hard this year, and my nerves are a little frayed." "I understand, Mr Frédéric." "Studying is tiring." "When I was a boy, I never got my primary certificate, but I was smart." "Nerves, as you say..." "You see, I understand!" "It's exactly the same thing." "Coming fishing tomorrow?" "Not yet, Micoulin." "Not yet." "In a few days, I might." "I've two 400-meter nets and three dozen traps, whenever you like..." "Fine." "I'll let you know." " Please send Toine to me." " Right away." "Do you want Naiis, too?" "Whatever for?" "Oh." " You called for me, Mr Frédéric?" " I need a word." " When we're alone, drop the "Mr"." " Sure?" "Sure." "Just checking." "I just mould sticky clay, after all." " Just say "Mr" in front of Mother." " Of course." "If I didn't, she'd take offense." "But when we're alone, sir, I won't say it, and when I..." "I'm so happy, I'm dithering!" "Let's take a stroll." "I can't!" "What if Micoulin sees me?" "Don't worry about Micoulin." "I'm in charge here." "It is best if I come along." "The cliff edge is dangerous." "It crumbles sometimes." "The sea is gnawing away at it." "Look here." "You see, this is a dangerous part." "Don't come here at night, because it's hard to see the edge." "There are springs undermining it, but we can't hear it." "See the old well?" "I think the next landslide will start at the old well, because of the spring." "Bye-bye, shed!" " The field looks smaller." " You haven't visited in three years." " It has been three years." " My goodness!" "One night after you left, in late October, a huge chunk fell away." " You smoke?" " I do." "But I roll my own." "It's cheaper." "Come into the pine forest, I'll show you my rabbit snares." "So you won't get your toes pinched." "Here's one." "Where?" "I knew you wouldn't be able to see it." "It's tucked away." "Look at the wire." "It's under there." "You can't see it at all." "There's six, up to the big pine." "Three on either side of the path." "Three rabbits a week, all fed on thyme and rosemary." "Their whole lives, they're getting ready to be stew." " Tired?" " I'm not used to hills anymore." "Sit down." "What's the lowdown here?" " What do you mean?" " Day-to-day life." "Who is Naiis's beau?" "Naiis?" "She hasn't got one." "She's not that kind of girl!" " Maybe you just don't know." " I'm always with her." "If something were up, I'd know." "Her father keeps an eye on her." "Do you have a lady friend?" "I do." " Well!" " Well, indeed!" "A good friend." "She's not pretty, but she's not ugly." "You know the ragpicker's daughter?" "I don't frequent ragpickers." "I mean to say, I don't get the chance." "I met her at the factory." "She works there." "I figured she liked me, because she'd laugh with me." "I told her jokes." "I didn't dare say anything, because I was scared of girls." "Because of the state... of my back." "Then, Henri the engineer..." " Do you know Henri?" " Henri Bernier." "That's right." "He's a friend." "He said the Duke of Lauzun had a hump." "That gave me courage." "Just to see, I tried it on Marie." "It worked right away." "I was really pleased." " So, you adore her?" " I don't care at all." "It was just to see." "She loves me." "She's told everyone." "I can't stand it anymore." "I was glad to be asked up here." "I won't see her for two months." "She must be crying her eyes out." "Poor, poor girl!" " You're a heartbreaker." " I only broke one." "There are some girls who, if they loved me," "I wouldn't hurt them." "Naiis?" "What is it, Mr Frédéric?" "I'd like to speak to you." "During the day, it's impossible." "It's not possible now, either." "What if my father wakes up?" "He was bone tired tonight." "He must be sleeping like a log." "Don't be frightened." "What do you want to say to me?" "Come for a walk with me." "We'll watch the moonlight on the sea." "Come!" "I'd like to, but I daren't." "What if we're seen?" "No one will see us." " And Toine?" " He's asleep, too." "Have no fear." "You want this?" "Why don't you?" "During the day, whenever I look up," "I catch you looking at me." "I don't do it on purpose." "You're just a little flirt, that's all." "If you hadn't looked at me, I wouldn't be here." "Your eyes gave me rendezvous." "Alright, I'll go." "No!" "Mr Frédéric!" "Don't be angry with me." "I'll come." "Go wait for me in the ruins." "I'll come." " You will come?" " I've said so." "Don't make any noise." "Come sit here." "If you stand, we could be seen." "Come here." "Tell me, you truly don't have a sweetheart?" "Yes, it's true." "Who told you?" "Toine." " You and Toine talk about me?" " All the time." "I have to watch it, otherwise..." " I'd talk about you all the time." " Why?" "Can't you guess?" "Oh, I can guess alright!" "I guess you say that to all the girls, and all the girls believe you." "And I'll believe you, too." "Are you scared of me?" "No, I'm not scared of you." "Even if you tell me lies, I'll like hearing them." "Why would I lie to you?" "Because I'm your farmer's daughter, and because, in Aix, there are pretty girls who can dance." " Naiis, am I in Aix?" " For three years, you were." "I was there for school." "What about the holidays?" "Do you know why I didn't come?" " You were better off elsewhere." " No." "It was because of you." "Laugh if you want, but it's true." "I was frightened that I would love you." "Remember the day, during the holidays three years ago," "I kissed you." "Yes." "It was in the hayloft, at the end of the holidays." "It was raining." "And the next day, you left." "I've thought about that kiss." "That memory kept me from working." " If so, you'd have returned for more." " I didn't want to!" "Out of honesty." "I thought about what you said earlier:" "She's the farmer's daughter, a good girl." "I must forget her." "That can't have been hard." "It was!" "It took a very long time." "I had almost succeeded." "But when I came to Aix with supplies, you were never there." "I stayed away." "I did see you, once." "Through a café window." "You were playing cards, and there was a low woman with you." "She was very pretty, with shiny, styled hair." "Then, this spring, I ran into you again." "I had put you out of my mind." "Time passed, my studies..." "Then I saw you, so beautiful..." "I pretended to be ill, and I said:" ""Why don't I rest at La Rouguiere?"" "But it's for you alone that I came." "You're talking about September 30, and you can't remember the date." "It was the holidays!" "I remember the day as if it were yesterday." "You were sitting in the empty hayloft, with your legs crossed." "You were reading a dog-eared old book." "I came up from behind." "And you didn't hear me." "Is that so?" "I covered your eyes, like this..." "You didn't say anything." "You didn't move." "And then..." "There." "That's how it happened." "What's that?" "A rabbit's cry." "Poor little thing!" "She's caught in a trap." "Traps are awful." "They frighten me." "Gotcha!" "Another fine stew in the making!" "Someone's there!" "Quick, hide!" "Toine?" "Hello, Naiis." "What are you doing, taking the air?" "What about you?" "It's a rabbit." "It got caught in the trap." "It cried out." "It woke me up." "That's what." "Are you going back to bed?" "No." "If your father knew..." "It's not wise, Naiis." "I know." "Listen, Toine." "I can tell you the truth." "What truth?" "I know the truth." "It was too hot, so you went out to get some air and to enjoy the moonlight." "Moonlight is the prettiest." "But people never get to enjoy it." "Only if you father gets the same idea and catches you, it could get ugly." "Mind you, what you do isn't my concern." "It's your business." "You're old enough to do what you like." "But if it's just a passing fancy, it seems to me the danger outweighs the pleasure." "Toine, you know I'm not a girl who takes passing fancies." "I love him." "You really love him?" "Just like that?" "I've always loved him." "You haven't seen him in three years!" "But I've thought of him every day and every night." "Even while walking with me?" "Even while walking with you." "I guess I never noticed." "Why didn't you say?" "It's not a thing you just say." "And it was still vague, don't you see?" "A bit like a dream." "Now, it's no longer a dream." "Now, it's like a dream come true." "Are you happy?" "I feel beautiful." "Go back and roll in the hay, then!" "Why are you being mean?" "Don't you like me anymore?" "What are you hoping for?" "I'm not thinking about tomorrow." "I'm so happy." "I'm saying this for your own good." "So you'll have no illusions." "But I'm happy, and that's no illusion." "Listen, Toine." "You're not sleepy, are you?" "I haven't been for ages." "I barely sleep anymore." "Go quietly near the house." "Quietly." "Then what?" "Watch my father's window." "If you see a light, or if you see him go out, cry out, do whatever you must, tell him anything." "Then we can sneak back in." "You're going back to the ruins?" "Oh, yes." "Oh, yes, I'm going back." "Until what time?" "Come tell us when it's daylight." "When the sun has come up?" "Yes." "Because, you know," "I won't notice." "What if your father wakes up and goes into your room?" "It's locked." "Listen, Naiis, I have to tell you..." "I don't have time." "Tomorrow." "What's this dead rabbit?" "Oh, yes, it got caught in a trap." "It cried out and..." "It woke me." "It got caught." "It's dead." "It's not suffering." "Fine." "I'm crying?" "What good will that do?" "Right." "I must go watch Micoulin." "Chin up!" "Watch the father, while the daughter's in the ruins..." "Go on, Lauzun." "Stand guard." "Go on!" "You're my brother." "Me, his brother?" "I'd like that better." "Go on, Lauzun." "Don't make a sound." "Watch and keep silent." "I'd give Versallles, Parls, and Salnt-Denls" "I'd give Versallles, Parls, and Salnt-Denls..." "What are you singing for?" "I don't know." "I didn't mean to." "You didn't mean to?" "You must be mighty happy to do that." "Why don't you answer me?" "It's not my fault I'm twenty." "What are those partridges on the table?" "Fernand brought them for Mrs Rostaing." "How does that bumpkin know her?" "He'd dare to send her gifts?" "You're lying!" "You say, "They're for Mrs Rostaing."" "But he gave them to you." "Why is that?" "He had caught six." "He gave me two." "There's no harm." "No harm at all!" "He comes skulking around, supposedly to lay traps, but I know he's coming for you." " Maybe that's why you're singing." " So?" "So, if I see him," "I'll thrash him!" "Tell that to your lover!" "I won't give him the message!" "I will!" "He could be armed." "What?" "You'd like that, would you?" "Your lover murdering your father." "That way, you'd be free to do what you please." "In the meantime, take that!" "Hello, Micoulin." "Hello, Mr Frédéric." " You're up already?" " Yes, indeed." "Since I've been taking afternoon naps, I'm up at dawn." "Naiis, could you get me some coffee?" "Right away, Mr Frédéric." "As quickly as possible, please." "Sleeping on your feet, are you?" "Have you gone crazy?" "He's here!" "He's here!" "You're off your rocker!" "Why are you saying, "He's here"?" "Who's here?" "I don't know." "I was dreaming." "My head's spinning." "It's not laziness, Micoulin." "I can't take afternoon naps, you see?" "No, Micoulin!" "Let him sleep." "He's got sunstroke." "Yesterday, he had a headache." "Let him sleep for a while." "You're too kind, Mr Frédéric." "Poor Toine was asleep on his feet." "We can't go out tonight." "He's exhausted." "It's been two weeks..." "Listen." "I'll tell him we're not going out, but we'll go out all the same." "There's no danger." "My father sleeps like a log." "I can't sleep without you." "I just can't." "Well, after all, he wouldn't kill us." "I know you'll be leaving, my love." "But we've got another month of happiness." "I don't want to think about the end." "Why think about tomorrow?" "At the end of life, there's only death." "City girls aren't interesting." "They don't know what love is." "They're fickle." "Whereas our love, under the stars, by the seaside, with the scent of rosemary... will be my fondest memory." "The master is the head, even when he's dead." "But with a little patience..." " Toine!" " Yes!" "Come give me a hand." " Going out this morning?" " No, the motor's dead." " I'll help you when I'm done." " Not going out with Micoulin?" "No, he's fishing with Frédéric." "Since he knew I'd enjoy an outing, he found me some work." "That Micoulin is always so thoughtful." "There they are." "So, you can ride a bike, play soccer, and do target-shooting, but you can't swim." "Not in the sea." "After 15 minutes, I turn bright green." "That's nerves, Mr Frédéric, not sickliness." " Can you swim?" " Like a fisherman." "Meaning I float." "Anyway, who needs to swim when you've got boats?" " Is it ready?" " Yes." "It's not leaking that much." "It's just a hairline crack, but the water still manages to get through!" "Get in, Mr Frédéric, and you get out, you scoundrel!" " We forgot something?" " Your scarf." "Mr Frédéric!" "Mrs Rostaing told me to give you your scarf." " Is Mrs Rostaing up already?" " No." "She told me last night." "Mothers think of everything." "So, when I saw the scarf in the hall..." "Good thinking, Naiis." "God forbid Mr Frédéric's throat gets cold." " That would be fatal to a lawyer." " I'm not yet a lawyer." "Maybe in a year, but not before." "He's got a charming voice, doesn't he, Micoulin?" "Yes, and that's rare." "We'll have a great big bouillabaisse for lunch." "You'll be more comfortable in the back." " Are they going far?" " I don't think so." " They'll haul in the traps." " It'll be rough going." " Why?" " The wind will come up again." "It died down at sunrise, but it'll pick up in an hour." " My father said it'd be fine." " He can say what he likes." "With no motor, I wouldn't go out." "They do have the sail." "The mistral would push you to Algeria, and you'd starve on the way." "Or, if you tack, you could capsize." "La Nais looks like she'd capsize easily." "Say, will your motor be ready in an hour?" "Yes, if you help me." "Why?" "Well, if they can't come back in, we'll go get them." "I'll help you." "It's just a precaution, Naiis." "Don't worry!" "I'll give him a hand and be along right away." "What are you doing, Toine?" "Preparing hooks for tomorrow." "Your father interested him in fishing." "So he told me to prepare a long line, and I am." "Toine." "I'm frightened." " Of what?" " I don't know." "He's been acting strange around me." "This morning, he was full of a mean kind of satisfaction." "Look how far out he's taken him." "For good fishing, you often have to." "He's gone out to the traps." "But Frédéric can't swim." "That's not your father's fault." "He said there'd be no wind, but it's coming up." "When you try to predict the weather, you often fail." "I'm saying that, but I've got my doubts." "That's your fault!" "You're scaring me!" "Toine!" "They've raised the sail." "Maybe it's to get in before the mistral." "No, he's got a plan, I know it!" "To Elzéar's boat, quickly!" " Is your motor ready?" " Yeah." "Let's go!" "Toine!" "The boat capsized!" "Naiis!" "He's safe now!" "Why not say I'm safe, too?" "You're a sailor." "You can swim." "Whereas he..." "He's frozen!" "Naiis, did my mother notice anything?" "No, Mr Frédéric." "Mrs Rostaing hasn't left her room yet." " I'll tell her I went for a dip." " Nothing but the truth." "No harm done." "These things happen." "Our bouillabaisse is lost:" "Scorpion fish, shrimp..." "Shrimp this big!" "Right, Mr Frédéric?" "Oh, yes, it was a great catch." "It's a real shame." "No luck?" "No, no luck this time." "But I'm not discouraged." "I'll manage it next time!" "Usually, Mr Rostaing, they come every day around four in the afternoon." "Right in front of the old sheepfold." "I've trained them." "Every week, I leave a basket of wheat mixed with peas, so they come every day." " Have you shot many?" " Lord, no!" "I was waiting for you." "With one shot, I'd have killed lots." "But they'd never have come back." "Steady, children." "No more talking." "Mr Rostaing, you go along that little path, up to the big pine near the shed." "Sit down there and look up in the air." "Mr Frédéric will go to the right, to the spring." " You know it?" " Of course." "I'll head straight up." "When you're in position," "I'll make some noise, and they'll take off, right or left." "One of you will surely see them." "Naiis, you stay here and don't move." "Firstly... you could make noise, and accidents can happen fast." "So, sit here next to your basket." " You'll come back this way?" " No, but after you hear the shots, you can come." "You'll help us look for the game." "When they don't die outright, they're hard to find." "Come on." "Idiot!" "Did you slip?" "What were you aiming for?" "I shot in the air to scatter the partridges." "Your father got them!" "Come with us, Naiis!" "Don't say anything." "Don't make any noise." "If you don't, I won't hurt anyone." "And I won't say anything either." "When he comes scratching, tell him to wait in the ruins, as usual." "There he is." "Can you hear him?" "He's walking without making a sound." "Like a thief." "Talk to him." "Tell him you're coming." "If you tell him I'm here, you'll be sorry!" "Coming, darling?" "In a while." "Wait for me there." "I love you." "Come quickly!" "I love you." "Go away!" "I'm not ready." "I love you." "It rolls off his tongue." "And he's in a rush." "Like a tomcat in March." "Listen to me." "If you say a word about this afternoon," "I'll kill everyone." "And then I'll blow my brains out." "I've got three shotguns loaded and ready in my bedroom." "There's one for the gendarmes, one for that vermin's parents, and the third has two shots left." "One for the vermin, and one for me." "That's what will happen if you tell." "Understand?" "What if I keep quiet?" "If you keep quiet, only the hound will get it." "I won't kill the others." "I'll only kill Mr Frédéric." "The city scoundrel." "The hound." "I won't kill him right away." "I'll bide my time." "It will be an accident." "But why do you want to kill him?" "Because I'm going to kill him." "Listen, I won't see him anymore." "I won't talk to him anymore." "It's too late." "He has to die." "If you want, I'll go to my godmother's." "I'll tell Mrs Rostaing she's ill and I have to care for her." "Good idea!" "Go to your godmother's." "That way, you won't see him die." "But he's leaving in 12 days!" "So, you're even counting the days." "Well, 12 days is all I need." "You want to be tried in court in Aix?" "No, I don't like judges." "I've told you, no one will realize." "It will be an accident." "That's why I need a bit of time." "I need to get things straight." "When you lay a trap, you can't put it any old place." "You have to keep it hidden." "So, I'm going to take time to think." "He'll be buried in the cemetery in Cassis, and I'll go to his funeral." "I'll wear my best city suit, the one I wore to mourn your poor mother." "Now, you can go and join him." "Go on, roll in the hay." "Enjoy it." "And make sure he enjoys it." "No need to be afraid." "I've known for over a month." "Twice, by moonlight, I saw you in the ruins." "I had an axe in my hand, but I..." "I left you alone." "No haste." "And no gendarmes." "What if he would marry me?" "Did he promise you that?" "Of course he did." "That's even worse." "Liar!" "Is that how he ruined a good girl?" "He promised that." "Why didn't he come to ask your father?" "You know he won't." "Anyway, you're lying." "He didn't promise!" "But I made a promise to you." "And I'm keeping my word." "Starting today, I won't live in this house anymore." "I'll go live in my shed on the cliff." "You won't have to go out for your rendezvous." "Just lock the door, pull the latches, and go to his room." "It was mine and your poor mother's." "She was spared our troubles." "Goodnight." "You should leave, my love." "You should tell your parents you need mountain air." "With my complexion, they'd just laugh." "Have you seen enough of me, Naiis?" "Me?" "You know I could spend my whole life adoring you." "When you leave, you'll take all my happiness, all my hope, all my life." "You don't know how much I love you." "But I'm afraid." "You're afraid of your father, because he beat you as a girl." "But he won't beat me." "I'm telling you, I'm sure he realizes something's up." "If he were suspicious, he'd go to my father, and I know what he'd say." "What's that?" "I don't mean to be rude, but it seems to me that your father isn't exactly selfless or tactful." "If he were suspicious, he'd go and find Daddy Rostaing, and say, "Your son dishonoured my daughter." "He must marry her."" "No, you don't know him." "He'd never ask for anything." "Daddy Rostaing, scarlet with rage, would put me through the wringer, my mother would cry all day, then, to ease my mother's mind," "Daddy Micoulin would be given 10,000 francs for your dowry." "It's not poetic, but it's likely." "I'm frightened!" "Lean on me, and you won't be." "Come here." "Don't trust him." "Don't go out in the boat with him." "Keep an eye on him." "You're crazy." "You're very fresh, Naiis." "You're as fair as your poor mother." "I knew your mother." "She was the prettiest girl in Saint-Henri, and the best-behaved." "Naiis is well-behaved, too, sir." "Ask Mr Frédéric." "What would he know about it?" "He can see she always stays in, that she doesn't go running around." " Isn't that right, Mr Frédéric?" " It's the truth." "She doesn't need to go out." "She's got her beau at home." "It's handier that way." "I don't understand." "You're just pretending." "Toine's her beau." "Toine, the hunchback." "He's a good fellow, Mr Rostaing." "No one's kinder or works harder." "Where are you going with that?" "I'm moving to my shed on the cliff, Mr Frédéric." "Why?" "Why?" "Because I don't like to be in the way, Mr Rostaing." "I really don't." "The shed is in a bad spot." "Aren't you afraid it will topple?" "Not at all, Mr Rostaing!" "The cliff will crumble one day." "It happens every four or five years, and it happened last year." "We're safe for now." "The whole place will go, one day." "But we'll be long gone." "For now, there's no risk." "When it's about to fall, you'll know a few days in advance." "You'll hear sounds, especially at night." "The ground will growl like it's hungry." "You'll have time to move everything." "Then one day, there'll be an explosion." "An underground explosion?" "That's right, Mr Frédéric, like a mine in a quarry." "Exactly the same sound." "Then, it'll sound like thunder, and a whole slab will fall away." "Afterward, there'll be a cloud of dust." "It will smell like powder." "Powder!" "Aren't you letting your imagination get carried away?" "No, Mr Rostaing!" "It's the rocks." "If you rub two big rocks hard against each other, it smells like powder." "Try it, you'll see." "There's no danger there." "If there were," "I wouldn't go sleep there." "Will you come fishing today?" "Yes, but not in a boat." "I'd rather fish from the rocks." "That's good, too, using a fishing pole and a line..." "But it's best to prepare a fishing spot a day ahead." "Tonight, we could prepare one or two." "You'll see why tomorrow." "Toine!" " What?" " We have to talk." " What is it?" " He's going to kill him!" " Who?" " He wants to kill him." "You're imagining things." "Your "dream come true" is turning into a nightmare." "Move it, donkey!" "Let's go!" "Yesterday, he was aiming at him." "He fired at him!" "I pushed the gun away!" "I saved him!" " Do you really think so?" " I suspected." "I watched him." "I jumped on him." "The shot went into the air." "What did Micoulin say?" "Nothing, at the time." "But that night, he came to my room." "He was enraged." "He said, "I'll kill him."" "And he will." "Toine, will you save him?" "Save me!" "What does Frédéric think?" "He doesn't know." "My father said he'd kill everyone if I told." "And then he'd blow his head off." "He's gone crazy, Toine." "Why don't you tell the gendarmes?" "He'll say I'm the one who's crazy." "Then he'll do the deed." " Frédéric has to go." " He'll never believe in the danger." "He'll confront my father, who'll kill him." "You didn't see my father's eyes." "With other people, he's calm." "He acts normally." "But I saw his face." "It was awful!" "I couldn't move." "I couldn't breathe." "I'll be killed, too, Toine." "So, he has to be killed." "If he said he'd go last, better he goes first." "There'll be less harm done, and we'll be doing him a favor." "But, Naiis, what do you hope from Frédéric?" "Nothing." "But I have no regrets." "Would you do it over again?" "Oh, yes." "Anyway, dead or alive, he's off to Paris to finish school." "For a year." "Do you think he'll come back, arms open wide, and say:" ""My lovely Naiis, now, I'm a lawyer and I've come to marry you"?" "Is that what you think?" "No, Toine, no!" "I'm crazy about him, but I'm not crazy." "In Paris, there are women a thousand times prettier than me, so I know..." "Toine." "Don't you care about Frédéric?" "There's friendship there, sure." "But he's done things I'd never have done, even if I really wanted to." "I'm just a labourer, but I wouldn't have done them." "It's not his fault, Toine." "Maybe it's mine!" "I started it." "I kept watching him, despite myself." "I watched him, and I went pale, and then... my legs went weak." "Of course, he noticed." "He's a boy like any other." "But it's my fault." "Oh, really." "He came here on purpose." "I'm simple, but I know lots of things." "One day, he saw you in Aix." "He thought, "There's young Naiis!" ""She's as ripe as a June peach." "She'll do for my holidays."" "So, he came, supposedly for the air, in his collar and tie." "He's had a good vacation." "I've been so happy, Toine." "You've been happy, but he's been having fun." "There's a difference." "He had a nighttime kiss, moonlight, the stars..." "The stars belong to everyone." "Sure." "I saw the stars, too." "But mine weren't as beautiful as his." "Although they were the same." "He's a gentleman." "He can't swim, but he's not a hunchback." "Hunchbacks are told:" ""Go watch the window, Toine!" ""Fish Frédéric out!" ""Defend him." "Strangle my father." ""Hop to it!" "Onto the guillotine!"" "The papers will write:" ""Toine, the hunchbacked assassin."" "In Cassis, people will say, "Oh!" ""We saw that coming a mile off!" ""When he was little, he pulled the wings off flies."" "For Frédéric's first time lawyering, he'll have a great client." "He'll say, "Your Honour, don't condemn him to death."" "He'll suggest my hump would get in the way of the guillotine." "Then he'll say:" ""Your Honour, it wasn't his fault." ""He did it because of the ferocity of the hunchback."" "And he'll save my life." "I'll be sent to the Americas where there are giant snakes and spiders whose bite on a man's toe can kill his whole family!" "You, poor orphan girl, will have your picture in the papers." "People will pity you." "And you'll become Mrs Frédéric." "If that's what you want, just come out and say it!" "I'll take a pickaxe and I'll cut your father in half and I'll finish him off with a scythe!" "What awful things to say, Toine!" " You're thinking them." " Me!" "I don't want him to hurt Frédéric!" "Toine, you're the only one who can defend him." "I'm lost." "Surely you don't want to see a crime done?" "You are a man." "Yes..." "Of course, if I can stop it." "But I don't think he'll kill him." "He might scare him." "Maybe he'll get really angry and kick him in the behind!" "That wouldn't be a tragedy." "Your Frédéric deserves it." "That'll teach him!" "You hate him because he's not a hunchback." "What did you say?" "Because he's handsome and I love him." "You want to see him die!" "Your soul is hunchbacked, twisted and mean!" "Don't come near me!" "You disgust me!" "You're the same as my father!" "If my beloved Frédéric dies," "I'll throw myself off the cliff!" "And you'll have made me do it!" "Naiis!" "Where are you going?" "Hunchback!" "Hunchback!" "There it is, my poor Lauzun!" "If you missed it, I'll draw it for you." "Come on, donkey." "Toine..." "If Frédéric leaves here without coming to harm, and if you want me, you can have me." "Naiis, if I want you as what?" "As a wife?" "As you like." "I won't lie and try to make you believe that I love you." "Difficult, after what you just said!" "Toine, I've never lied to anyone." "You have my word." "If Frédéric is saved, I'll do what you like." "There." "I accept." "If you agree to be my wife, you know I'll be over the moon." "But that's not why I'll do it." "And I won't accept if you don't need me to." "Understand?" "When Frédéric leaves here, you may be forced to marry someone." "Yes, forced." "I'll take you, even with a bump." "It will make up for my hump." "I don't know what they're doing." "They're on the rock." "Come see." "You see, Mr Frédéric, this is called "chum fishing"." "It means putting filth in the water to attract the fish." "I've got rotten sheep heads, bull lungs, chicken guts..." " The stench is vile!" " That's what the fish like." "I knead it with clay, so it sinks to the bottom." "They get used to it, and come here like it's a restaurant." "Especially early in the morning." "So, tomorrow morning, if you want to come, you can sit on this rock, with a big parasol and a five-meter rod." "I'll bring you the bait, and at ten o'clock, you'll have fish soup for twenty, yes, indeed." "A fuse?" "He's put dynamite down there." "The scoundrel!" "When Frédéric goes fishing, bang!" "He'll have the mountain for a hat." "Murderer!" "Oh, murderer!" "Luckily, I'm a light sleeper." "What am I supposed to do?" "Listen, Frédéric," "I'm begging you, don't go fishing this morning." "Why?" "Naiis, I only came here for you, you know that." "But I can't admit it, so I must go along with silly activities, which are actually quite restful." "Your father set up the fishing spot." "He devotedly mixed up various dead animal bits with clay and dung." "He himself set out his revolting bait." "If I don't go, what will he think?" "Don't go, Frédéric!" "I haven't told you everything." " When you're with him on the rock..." " He's not coming." " Why not?" " I don't know." "He said he was tired, that he wouldn't join me before ten." "He said he needed sleep." " Why is that, then?" " I don't know." "Why?" "You amaze me, Naiis." "If I were Toine, I'd say, "You're driving me 'round the twist."" "Why does your father need sleep?" "I don't know." "In any case, I'll be fishing alone." "Forgive me, but I find it so very strange." "My father always gets up at five." "A good reason to be sleepy." "Don't go, Frédéric." "Or at least bring Toine along." "No." "Let poor Toine sleep, he needs it." "He does not." "Poor Toine is already up." " Listening at keyholes, are you?" " No, at windows." "I've come to take you fishing." "But, before we go, as it's chilly, we should have hot coffee, right?" "I'll go heat some up." "So, the rods are ready." "I'll get the bait." "It's top-notch." "Say, give me your matches." "For a quick smoke." "Thanks." "I'll be right back." "After all..." "It might not be what I think." "I see a fuse." "I don't know where it goes." "So I light it, for a laugh." "Whatever happens, it's not my fault!" "What if something happened to you?" "Naiis, sweetheart, you're boring me with your fears and tragic airs." "The weather's lovely, we're young," "I'm about to fish with Toine," "I'm very happy, and I want you to be content." "Here's the bait." "It's really good." "Good enough to eat!" " Is this my coffee?" " One sugar." "Mind if I sit down?" "Like rich folk, just for a change." "No, don't eat!" "My mother's made a snack." "We'll have it on the rock." "Let me be!" "Let me drink my coffee." "Don't rush me." "Nice weather, isn't it?" "A bit cool, but nice." "What time is it?" "Ten to five." "That's the right time." "The right time to go fishing." "Say, Naiis, give me a little brandy." "In case he gets a chill." " Toine, are you feverish?" " Who, me?" "Me, feverish?" "No." "Here, feel." "My hands are frozen, so, I'm not feverish." "Here, drink this." "You know, it..." "Thunder." "It's going to rain." "The cliff fell into the sea!" "With Micoulin's shed!" "The cliff." "The cliff collapsed!" "The shed was crushed by the rocks." "Still want to fish here?" " You were coming here?" " I'd be under there." "Oh, Frédéric, my child!" "Thank God." "Micoulin chose this spot." "He set it up for two days." "He prepared everything himself." "It was all ready for... fishing." "I asked whether he feared the cliff would collapse." "He said he didn't." "Things must have shifted underground." "He wasn't to know." "How could he, he wasn't under there!" "But now he is." "It's awful." "Poor Micoulin!" "He loved fishing so much." "Hunting, too." "He liked Mr Frédéric so much." "And now, he's under there, all squished up." "His suffering is over!" "I'm off to tell the gendarmes." "I'm sure they heard the noise." "They'll be here by noon." "We have to get the neighbours here with picks and shovels!" "What for?" "To dig him out?" "And bury him again?" "He'll never be more buried than this." "Poor Micoulin." "Naiis, Frédéric is saved." "But it's not thanks to me." "You owe me nothing." "It's not thanks to you?" "How could a hunchback topple a cliff?" "It just happened." "Or maybe he set everything up, but he fell into his own trap." "That would seem fair." "I'm not counting on your promise." "You don't owe me anything." "There, look, there's Frédéric." "He's all alive." "Maybe he has something to say to you." "I'll skedaddle." "The car will be here at three." "I have to take care of the luggage." "About Naiis, Mrs Rostaing." "I forgot to tell you something." "I wanted to tell you in private." "If you'd take Naiis with you, it would be a relief to Frédéric." "A relief?" "Why?" "He likes her, doesn't he?" " She's a good friend." " Naturally." "They played together as children." "They played together, that's right." "They played family." "Like all children that age." "Yes, but they kept on doing it." "Kept on doing what?" "Playing together." "Even playing hide and seek." "Except it was at night, in the ruins." "Someone who wasn't looking for them found them, and that's how it is." "I'm sure Frédéric respects his friend." "But... did you see them?" "Unfortunately." "It must have been a moonlight walk." "Maybe it started that way, but they'd stopped walking when I saw them." "I mean, they weren't standing up." "It was under the broom trees." "They were chatting." "No, they couldn't have moved their lips." "I'm sure Frédéric couldn't do such an ugly thing." "It would be a crime." "Yes, a crime." "A crime all twenty-year-old boys are capable of." "The thing is, there were stars, moonlight, crickets." "And that's terrible for boys from the city and girls from anywhere." "It seems girls never get used to it." "I mean..." "It may seem like I'm telling tales, the stories of a nasty hunchback, but I'm saying this for Naiis's sake." "What is the hussy hoping for?" "She's not hoping for anything." "She doesn't even know I told you." "But I'm hoping, a little." "Just a little." "I know you go to Mass every Sunday." "I'm the one who drove you there, even when rain washed the road out from under the donkey." "People who go to Mass without having anything to gain, well, I trust them." "Because they believe in lots of things." "There's God." "There are angels." "There's sin." "And there's Hell." "That's why I spoke to you." "You did the right thing." "Naiis's conduct and Frédéric's foolishness don't mean I must take that girl in." "The fact is, Mrs Rostaing, the crickets by moonlight sometimes give girls babies." "I'm not saying that's the case here, I don't know." "But it could happen." "So, if Naiis stays here," "I'll do what must be done." "I'll marry her as soon as the bump - another bump - pushes me down the aisle." "Any child of Naiis and Frédéric's," "I'd happily claim!" "Oh, yes." "Especially if it's a girl." "Yes, Mrs Rostaing, I'd be that dishonest." "Without regrets, and with a good will." ""Rest on Toine's hunched back."" "But you, Mrs Rostaing, you've got priority over me." "So I say to you:" "Take Naiis with you, that way you can watch her." "Goodness!" "She doesn't need watching, but it would be best." "That way, if things happen the way I expect, you'll know it's yours." "Whereas if Naiis stays here, in three months, maybe Mr Rostaing won't want to believe it." "That said, any child of Naiis and Frédéric's would be hard to mistake." "It would be a sight to make a one-eyed man blind." "Well, Mrs Rostaing, I've said my piece." "And I don't want to push you too hard to take Naiis, because the funny thing is," "I love her." "I've loved her forever." "That's the funny thing." "Don't laugh, Toine." "You're making me sad." "Because I'm bent double with laughter?" "Stop thinking about your hump!" "You talk about it too much." "Because it's always on my mind." "If I try to sleep on my back, I'm like a turtle." "Turtles are lucky!" "They've all got humps, whereas we..." "But you're not a turtle, Toine." "You trust those who do their Christian duty, so why don't you go to Mass?" "You'd find great consolation." "When I was little, I got first prize in catechism." "So why do you wait for me in the square instead of praying with us?" "Because as soon as I understood my hump, I stopped going to church." "Understood it?" "Let me tell you, Mrs Rostaing." "My family used to adore me." "Especially my grandmother." "I was already this way, naturally, and I didn't know it." "I mean, I didn't know how it set me apart." "Humps are treacherous." "They sneak up from behind, so you can't see them." "Farmers don't have mirrored wardrobes." "You see yourself in your mother's eyes." "Naturally, you see yourself as handsome." "One day, a neighbour, who was very kind, said to me:" ""Oh, a sweet little hunchback!"" "So, I asked my grandmother:" ""What's a hunchback?"" "And she said to me:" ""It's true you're a sweet little hunchback," ""because your back is a bit rounded." ""It's because you're different that we love you very much."" "So..." "I said to her: "What does being a hunchback mean?"" "She sang me an old song." "I don't remember the tune, but it went something like this:" ""A dream told me something strange," ""one of God's secrets we didn't know:" ""Little hunchbacks are little angels," ""with hidden wings beneath their coats." ""That's the secret of little hunchbacks."" "It's pretty." "But it's not true." "I believed it, until I was ten." "I thought I was sprouting wings." "My grandmother sang me that song, which is quite a bit longer." "But grandmothers, Mrs Rostaing, are like mimosa." "They're soft and fresh." "But they're fragile." "One morning, she wasn't there anymore." "With a hunched back... and a grandmother," "all is well, you can sing." "But a little hunchback who has lost his grandmother" "is just a hunchback." "It's silly, crying in front of people." "It's silly!" "Everyone's got their cross to bear." "Mine would have to be crooked." "But I do believe in the Lord." "Because I believe that you believe." "And if you take Naiis away," "I'll bring a candle to the church." "But I couldn't pray." "The truth is, when you carry a hump for your whole life, it's like one long prayer." "You don't need to say anything." "So, Mrs Rostaing" " Naiis?" "I love her so." "She loves him so." "You mustn't leave her here, with her father down below." "I'll take her." "I'll take her because I must." "But until further notice, no one is to know that I know." "What do you mean, "until further notice"?" "Until later." "Listen, Toine, go and get Naiis." "Tell her you'll stay here in her father's stead, and that, if she agrees," "I intend to take her to Aix as my chambermaid." "Until further notice?" "I'm doing this because Frédéric is leaving for Paris tomorrow." "Until further notice." "Thank you, Mrs Rostaing, for what you've done for her." "I thank you personally, because you treated me like a gentleman." "I treated you like a gentleman because you spoke to me like a man." "You've got a big heart, Toine." "I might have a bigger heart that some people, but I've got the room." "Goodbye, Toine." "Frédéric, don't say anything." "You're the son of a rich family, you're handsome, you're intelligent, you're educated." "I love you." "It's not your fault." "You were sweet enough to make your farmer's daughter very happy." "That's no reason to ruin your life and your career." "I'm speaking from the heart." " You'll stay here alone?" " There's Toine." "What could he do for you?" "Lead the donkey?" "That's if I force my father to give him Micoulin's job." "My darling, my love!" "Don't think about what will happen." "Have no fear." "Have no regrets." "Thank you for everything." "Even for our childhood, and for the memories you'll leave me." "Often, at night, I think that if you hadn't come," "I'd have kept serving my father," "I'd have married a neighbour..." "I wouldn't have known about life." "Or heard your voice." "You've made me happy for seven years." "Seven years?" "Oh, yes!" "When I was eleven, I loved you already." "Since then, I've lived with you." "You're leaving later, but I'll still live with you." "You'll be my appetite for life." "The joy of these two months isn't big, but it's like a spot of oil on the sea." "When Elzéar drops a little sunburst of oil in the water, the whole port shines." "You've given me so much joy that these holidays aren't big enough to contain it all." "It will flow throughout my life." "And that's why I'm saying thank you." "You take me for a swine." "And you're right." "For you, I want to become an honest man." "Because I love you." "Oh, Frédéric!" "Don't say it out of pity." "You're leaving later, so speak to me sensibly." "I have to finish my studies, but I'll be back." "I don't believe that, Frédéric." "I'll be back." "Wait for me." "I know you won't be back." "But that's alright." "I'll wait for you." "I'll wait for you forever." "My joy will be in waiting for you." "Then, maybe one day, I'll catch a glimpse of you..." " Am I disturbing you?" " Yes." "Too bad." "I never object when people disturb me." "Frédéric, you're all leaving at four." "So I've got something to say to Naiis." "I got something to say to her, too." "You may be the Duke of Lauzun," " but really..." " But really..." "I may be the Duke of Lauzun, but I speak to farmers like you two." "You're saying I'm a farmer?" "Yes." "You don't deserve to be, but you are." "Your grandfather grew chick peas." "Chick peas, peppers, and onions." " Are you trying to humiliate me?" " Yes." " Since you won't do it yourself." " Leave us alone!" "Alright." "I just wanted to tell you about my chat with Mrs Rostaing, but since I'm bothering you, I'll leave." "Toine, what did she say?" "Nothing much." "What did you say to her?" "Lots." "She said I talked about my hump too much." " And?" " And here I am." "We talked about things, about you." "About... us two?" "Yes, about you and him, him and you, and me." "But I'm like dear Micoulin." "I don't like disturbing." "I'm off." "No, Toine!" "What did you tell my mother?" "She asked if I'd take over from Micoulin, and I said yes." "Well done, Toine." "That will be good for Naiis." "I'm sure you'll look out for her." "Yes." "From afar." "Why from afar?" "Because Mrs Rostaing, your mother, earlier, on the veranda, told me to tell Naiis that..." "if you wanted, she'd take you to Aix." "When?" "Today, with the whole family." "Why?" "Because she thought that when Frédéric goes to Paris, she'll be lonely." "And maybe Naiis could be made into a lady, with a little help." "I said, "I'm not sure she'll want to, but I'll tell her."" "There's no harm in talking about it." "Toine!" "Does she suspect?" "I don't understand everything when educated people talk, so, as for what they're thinking, it's a mystery." "Anyway, I passed on the message." "It's up to you to answer." "Because in two hours, the whole family will be leaving." "Since I don't want to be in the way," "I'm off." " Everything's ready, Mr Frédéric." " Thanks!" "Where's Toine?" "Hey, Toine, where are you?" "Excuse me, Mrs Rostaing." "Here's your new farmer's first harvest." "It won't feed you, but it's from the heart." "This is for you, Naiis." "A little souvenir." "It won't last long." "They're not city flowers." "They do their best to be beautiful, but their education is lacking." "Thank you." "I've been given lots of flowers." "These aren't the prettiest, but they're the most beautiful." "Thank you." "Take care, Frédéric." "You've got everything going for you." "Everything." "Try not to lose any of it." "That's the hard part." "When you come back in a year, or maybe in two, you'll find Toine at the gate." "And maybe I'll call Naiis "Ma'am"." "Why?" "Because she'll be from the city, Mr Rostaing." "The city is stronger than us." "Bon voyage!" "They're off." "Where are you going now?" "I have to think about it." "I'll buy you a pastis in the village." "If you like." "You've got the key now." "You're the king!" "You think so?" "Unfortunately, I'm closing up an empty house." "Llsten to our prayers" "Oh, mother of the Lord" "That on Earth" "We see joy" "Oh, Vlrgln Mary" "Protect your children" "Watch, I pray thee" "Over Innocent hearts" "Llsten to our prayers" "Oh, mother of the Lord" "That on Earth" "We see joy" "Watch, I pray thee" "Over their Innocent hearts." "Subtitles:" "Lilith Cowan" "Subtitling:" "DUBBING BROTHERS"