At it sat a pale , dark man who stopped work as we entered , and seemed glad to rest while we talked to him , or rather while Kate did , for I could not understand his odd French , and preferred to watch Marie during the making of the bargain . Yvon , a stout lad of twelve , was cutting up brush with an old sickle , and little Bebe , looking like a Dutch doll in her tiny round cap , tight blue gown , and bits of sabots , clung to Marie as she got the supper . I wondered what the children at home would have said to such a supper . A few cabbage leaves made the soup , and this , with the dry black bread and a sip of sour wine , was all they had . There were no plates or bowls , but little hollow places in the heavy wooden table near the edge , and into these fixed cups Marie ladled the soup , giving each a wooden spoon from a queer rack in the middle ; the kettle stood at one end , the big loaf lay at the other , and all stood round eating out of their little troughs , with Nannette and a rough dog close by to receive any crusts that might be left . Presently the mother came in , a true Breton woman ; rosy and robust , neat and cheery , though her poor clothes were patched all over , her hands more rough and worn with hard work than any I ever saw , and the fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care . I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every feature of her little face , for the mother 's coming was like a ray of sunshine in that dark place , and she had a friendly word and look for every one . Our little arrangement was soon made , and we left them all smiling and nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them . Early next morning we were wakened by Françoise , the maid , who came up to announce that the goat 's milk had arrived . Then we heard a queer , quick , tapping sound on the stairs , and to our great amusement , Nannette walked into the room , straight up to my bedside , and stood there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used to seeing night-caps . Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her hand , and said , laughing at our surprise , ` See , dear mademoiselle ; in this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm ; ' and kneeling down , she milked the bowl full in a twinkling , while Nannette quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table . The warm draught was delicious , and we drank each our portion with much merriment . ` It is our custom , ' said Françoise ; who stood by with her arms folded , and looked on in a lofty manner . ` What had you for your own breakfast ? ' I asked , as I caught Marie 's eye hungrily fixed on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate left from our lunch the day before . ` My good bread , as usual , mademoiselle , also sorrel salad and -- and water , ' answered Marie , as if trying to make the most of her scanty meal . ` Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble at school ? You must be tired with this long walk so early . ' She hesitated , but could not resist ; and said in a low tone , as she held the bread in her hand without eating it , -- ` Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe ? She has never tasted the beautiful white bread , and it would please her much . '
I emptied the plate into her basket , tucked in the chocolate , and added a gay picture for baby , which unexpected treasures caused XXXXX to clasp her hands and turn quite red with delight .
Bebe Breton Dutch French Kate Marie crusts night-caps sabots sickle