The good sisters teach us the catechism , also to write and read and sew . I like it much , ' and Marie glanced at the little prayer in her apron pocket , as if proud to show she could read it . ` What age have you ? ' ` Ten years , mademoiselle . ' ` You are young to do so much , for we often see you in the market buying and selling , and sometimes digging in your garden there below , and bringing water from the river . Do you love work as well as school ? ' ` Ah , no ; but mademoiselle knows it is necessary to work : every one does , and I 'm glad to do my part . Yvon works much harder than I , and the father sits all day at his loom , yet he is sick and suffers much . Yes , I am truly glad to help , ' and little Marie settled the big loaf as if quite ready to bear her share of the burdens . ` Shall we go and see your father about the goat ? and if he agrees will you bring the milk fresh and warm every morning ? ' I asked , thinking that a sight of that blooming face would brighten our days for us . ` Oh , yes ! I always do it for the ladies , and you will find the milk quite fresh and warm , hey , Nannette ? ' and Marie laughed as she pulled the goat from the hedge where she was nibbling the young leaves . We followed the child as she went clattering down the stony path , and soon came into the narrow street bounded on one side by the row of low , stone houses , and on the other by the green wet meadow full of willows , and the rapid mill-stream . All along this side of the road sat women and children , stripping the bark from willow twigs to be used in basket-making . A busy sight and a cheerful one ; for the women gossiped in their high , clear voices , the children sang and laughed , and the babies crept about as freely as young lambs . We found Marie 's home a very poor one . Only two rooms in the little hut , the lower one with its earthen floor , beds in the wall , smoky fire , and single window where the loom stood .
At it sat a pale , dark man who stopped XXXXX 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 .
beds catechism child goat hut ladies school side wall work