Madame Simon had called him to her while her man and the citizen
Heron were talking, and the child went readily enough, without any
sign of fear. She took the corner of her coarse dirty apron in
her hand, and wiped the boy's mouth and face with it.
"I can't keep him clean," she said with an apologetic shrug of the
shoulders and a look at de Batz. "There now," she added, speaking
once more to the child, "drink like a good boy, and say your
lesson to please maman, and then you shall go to bed."
She took a glass from the table, which was filled with a clear
liquid that de Batz at first took to be water, and held it to the
boy's lips. He turned his head away and began to whimper.
"Is the medicine very nasty?" queried de Batz.
"Mon Dieu! but no, citizen," exclaimed the woman, "it is good
strong eau de vie, the best that can be procured. Capet likes it
really--don't you, Capet? It makes you happy and cheerful, and
sleep well of nights. Why, you had a glassful yesterday and
enjoyed it. Take it now," she added in a quick whisper, seeing
that Simon and Heron were in close conversation together; "you
know it makes papa angry if you don't have at least half a glass
now and then."
The child wavered for a moment longer, making a quaint little
grimace of distaste.
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