"No, I am more than eighteen; and at that age, a girl is much older than a boy and ought to have more common sense."
"Oh! that's all nonsense! on the contrary, there are men of seventeen who are already soldiers, and who have been in the army. Why, there's a little drummer, who was lately stationed at the barracks in Faubourg du Temple, who was not more than eighteen years old, and he had been to Africa, where he passed three years, and was in battles with the Arabs."
"Does that tempt you? Are you inclined to go as a drummer?"
"I don't say that; still, if I didn't have my mother, and if there wasn't any hope of my being loved by the person I love, why, then----"
"Come, come! go and do your errand, Georget; you forget that that gentleman paid you in advance!"
"You are right, mamzelle; I stand here talking, and the time passes so quickly when I am talking with you! But I mean that you shall be satisfied with me; I won't be sad any more, and I won't loaf any more."
"Then will you have a little affection for me?"
"Haven't I already? do you doubt it? Yes, I have affection for you, because I know that you are not a ne'er-do-well, a good-for-nothing, like so many others of your age, and because you are so fond of your mother, whose only support you are. Ah! how lucky you are to have your mother, Georget, and to be able to work for her! If I only knew mine, I would take such pleasure in giving her the fruit of my work, in kissing her and coddling her and taking every care of her! Oh, yes! I would have loved my mother dearly! but I never had one, or rather she is dead; or else--she deserted me!"
"There, now it is you who are sad! don't think about all that any more, mamzelle; they say that children without parents, and without a name, are the ones who always make their fortune."
"Why! that is easily understood, because then the good Lord takes the place of their family, He never loses sight of them, and gives them good inspirations; and with a protector like Him, they can never fail to make their way.--But you must go, Georget!"
"Yes, mamzelle. Ah! I am happy this morning! my heart is full of joy; I have talked with you, and I shall have a good day."
"Good! now you are in good spirits, and that is the way I love to see you, the way I would like you to be always, because--Well, it is changing already! your brow is clouded and you turn pale;--what is the matter, Georget? Don't you feel well?"