Jacques Bonneval | Page 2

them from the evil." My father dwelt on
this in his prayer, and said, "Lord, I know that these dear young people
cannot pass through life without hearing and seeing much of evil: but,
oh, keep them unspotted by it! Let an atmosphere of sanctity and safety
surround them even in the midst of the fires, that they receive no hurt.

In their allowed pleasures and pastimes, let them wear that spiritual
hauberk which is invulnerable to the darts of the wicked; let them
steadfastly set their faces against whatever thy word disallows; and,
should fiery trial and temptation beset them, enable them, having done
all, to stand."
I am confident that these were as nearly as possible the very words of
my father; for they made an impression on me that I could hardly
account for: and as he had recently been explaining to the children the
nature of a hauberk, as a coat of defensive armor, and remarking on its
pliancy and being often worn out of sight, the metaphor fixed itself in
my memory.
We had a substantial breakfast of soup and bread before we started; and
then drove in state to M. Bourdinave's door, where I sprang out to help
the smiling girls into the char-a-banc. I would gladly have had
Madeleine next me, but, as ill-luck would have it, M. Bourdinave
placed himself at my side, and my father just behind; so that I was
completely shut out from her, to my great chagrin. However, if I could
not see her, unless by looking round, I knew she could see me; so I
carried myself my best, and flourished my whip in fine style.
And thus we went to the Fair of Beaucaire. As we passed Les Arènes,
that famous Roman amphitheatre in the centre of our city, I heard my
father and his old friend allude to its former uses, without paying much
heed to them. I believe they reminded one another that not only wild
beasts but Christians had formerly been put to death there, for the
recreation of those who were wild beasts themselves; and my father
said how he hated the Sunday bull-fights that took place there still, and
never would let me go near them; on which I put in soberly, "I never
want to, father."
"Thou art a steady lad, I'll warrant thee," said M. Bourdinave,
approvingly. "Hold fast the form of sound words which hath been given
thee in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
"Ay, ay, sir," said I, whipping old Réné smartly. And in another minute
we were thumping and bumping over great paving-stones, too noisily
for conversation to be carried on, and getting into a mêlée of carts,
wagons, and horsemen, all bound for Beaucaire. The women were now
in great delight, looking from side to side, commenting on the dress of
one, the equipage of another, nodding to acquaintance, and crying "O,

look!" to each other, when they saw anything beyond common. I had
enough to do, I assure you, to steer a straight course; and M.
Bourdinave observing it, remarked that he hoped I should be equally
vigilant in steering a straight course through life, which made me cry
"Ay, ay, sir," and set me thinking.
When the road became a little quieter, I heard him and my father
discussing the price of cocoons, the superiority of good cocoons to
cocalons, dupions, and soufflons; which last, I need not tell you, are
very imperfect cocoons; dupions have two threads, and confuse one
with another; and pointed cocoons are apt to break in the winding. But
all these, as you know, are turned to account by the silk-spinner, and
worked up into stockings, sewing-silk, and handkerchiefs. But the good
cocoons that yield a strong, thick, compact filament, are appropriated
by the silk-throwsters.
But this trade-talk was interrupted by cries of amused delight from the
women, and on looking about to see what tickled their fancies, they
pointed out to us a most extraordinary figure, standing bolt upright in a
cart. He was tall and meagre, and wore a long black robe and tall
pointed cap, both of which appeared spangled with silver; instead of
which, they were studded with steel buttons, needles, and pins, of
which he was an itinerant vendor. I believe the women would have
purchased largely of him, had my father let me stop.
Next we came up with a little house upon wheels, drawn by a sorry
horse, and on the wooden wall of the said house was depicted, many
sizes larger than life, a great human tooth, with bleeding fangs. Beneath
was an inscription that the owner of the cart was a traveling dentist,
who drew teeth without the least pain.
Alice, the maid, had instantly a great desire