Nobody's Girl by Hector Malot Chapter 30

GRANDFATHER FINDS PERRINE

One year had passed since Perrine had arrived at Maraucourt on thatradiant Sunday morning. What a miserable lonely little girl she had beenthen.

The day was just as radiant now, but what a change in Perrine, and, beit said, in the whole village also. She was now a lovely girl offifteen. She knew she was loved and loved for herself, and this is whatgave the deep look of happiness to her eyes.

And the village! No one would have recognized it now. There were newbuildings, pretty cottages, and a hospital commanding a view of thesurrounding country. Near the factories were two handsome red brickbuildings. These were the creches where the little children, whosemothers were working in the factories, were kept. All the littlechildren had their meals there, and many of them slept there. It was ahome for them.

M. Vulfran had bought up all the old houses, the tumble-down hovels andhuts, and had built new cottages in their places. There was a largerestaurant built where the men and women could get a dinner for elevencents, the meal consisting of a soup, stew or roast, bread and cider.

Every little cottage, for which the tenant paid one hundred francs ayear, had its own tiny garden in which to grow vegetables for thefamily.

In the road leading to the chateau there was now a fine recreationground, which was greatly patronized after the factories had closed.There were merry-go-rounds, swings, bowling alleys and a stand for themusicians who played every Saturday and Sunday, and of course on everyholiday. This public park of amusement was used by the people of allfive villages. Monsieur Vulfran had thought it better to have one placeof reunion and recreation. If his people all met together to enjoy theirleisure hours, it would establish good relations and a bond offriendship between them. At the end of the grounds there was a finelibrary with a reading and writing room.

M. Vulfran's relations thought that he had gone mad. Did he intend toruin himself? That is to say, ruin them? Some steps ought to be taken toprevent him from spending his fortune in this manner. His fondness forthat girl was a proof that he was losing his mind. That girl did notknow what she was doing! All their animosity was centered on her. Whatdid it matter to her that his fortune was being thrown away? But ifPerrine had all the relations against her, she knew that she had M.Vulfran's friendship, and the family doctor, Doctor Ruchon, Mlle.Belhomme and Fabry all adored her. Since the doctor had seen that itwas the "little girl" who had been the means of his patient exertingthis wonderful moral and intellectual energy, his attitude to herexpressed the greatest respect and affection. In the doctor's eyes,Perrine was a wonderful little girl.

"She can do a great deal more than I can," he said, shaking his grayhead.

And Mlle. Belhomme, how proud she was of her pupil! As to Fabry, he wason the best of terms with her. He had been so closely connected with herin the good work that had been done, for Fabry had superintendedeverything.

It was half-past twelve. Fabry had not yet arrived. M. Vulfran, usuallyso calm, was getting impatient. Luncheon was over and he had gone intohis study with Perrine; every now and again he walked to the window andlistened.

"The train must be late," he murmured.

Perrine wanted to keep him away from the window, for there were manythings going on outside in the park about which she did not wish him toknow. With unusual activity, the gardeners were putting great pots offlowers on the steps and in front of the house. Flags were flying fromthe recreation grounds, which could be seen from the windows.

At last the wheels of a carriage were heard on the drive.

"There's Fabry," said M. Vulfran. His voice expressed anxiety, butpleasure at the same time.

Fabry came in quickly. He also appeared to be in a somewhat excitedstate. He gave a look at Perrine which made her feel uneasy withoutknowing why.

"I got your telegram," said M. Vulfran, "but it was so vague. I want tobe sure. Speak out."

"Shall I speak before mademoiselle?" asked Fabry, glancing at Perrine.

"Yes, if it is as you say."

It was the first time that Fabry had asked if he could speak beforePerrine. In the state of mind in which she was suddenly thrown, thisprecaution only made her the more anxious.

"The person whom we had lost trace of," said Fabry, without looking atPerrine, "came on to Paris. There she died. Here is a copy of the deathcertificate. It is in the name of Marie Doressany, widow of EdmondVulfran Paindavoine."

With trembling hands the blind man took the paper.

"Shall I read it to you?" asked Fabry.

"No, if you have verified the names we will attend to that later. Goon."

"I not only got the certificate; I wanted to question the man whom theycall Grain-of-Salt. She died in a room in his house. Then I saw allthose who were present at the poor woman's funeral. There was a streetsinger called the Baroness and an old shoemaker called Carp. It was themiserable existence which she had been forced to live that had finallykilled her. I even saw the doctor who attended her, Dr. Cendrier. Hewanted her to go to the hospital, but she would not be parted from herdaughter. Finally, to complete my investigations, they sent me to awoman who buys rags and bones. Her name is La Rouquerie. I could not seeher until yesterday, as she had been out in the country."

Fabry paused. Then for the first time he turned to Perrine and bowedrespectfully.

"I saw Palikare, mademoiselle," he said. "He is looking very well."

Perrine had risen to her feet. For some moments she stood listening,dazed. Then her eyes filled with tears.

"I then had to find out what had become of the little daughter,"continued Fabry. "This ragpicker told me that she had met her in theChantilly woods and that she was dying of hunger. It was her own donkeythat she sold to the ragpicker who found her."

"Tell me," cried M. Vulfran, turning his sightless eyes towards Perrine,who was trembling from head to foot, "why this little girl did not saywho she was? You understand how deeply a little girl can feel, so canyou explain this?"

Perrine took a few steps towards him.

"Tell me why she does not come into my arms ... her grandfather's arms."

"Oh, grandpapa," cried Perrine, throwing her arms about his neck.