She was so touched at hearing him agree with her that she tried to be brave.
"Oh! it's a bad place. Then, to-day the air is poisoned. But you shall see soon if I'm a worm. When one has to work, one works; isn't it true? I'd die rather than stop."
There was silence. He held her with one arm round her waist, pressing her against his breast to keep her from harm. Although she already felt strong enough to go back to the stall, she forgot everything in her delight.
"Only," she went on in a very low voice, "I should like it so much if you were kinder. Yes, it is so good when we love each other a little."
And she began to cry softly.
"But I do love you," he cried, "for I've taken you with me."
She only replied by shaking her head. There are often men who take women just in order to have th
