"At last! here he is!" said Maheude.
A black figure passed before the window. The door opened. But it was not Dr. Vanderhaghen; they recognized the new curé, Abbé Ranvier, who did not seem surprised at coming on this dead house, without light, without fire, without bread. He had already been to three neighbouring houses, going from family to family, seeking willing listeners, like Dansaert with his two policemen; and at once he exclaimed, in his feverish fanatic's voice:
"Why were you not at mass on Sunday, my children? You are wrong, the Church alone can save you. Now promise me to come next Sunday."
Maheu, after staring at him, went on pacing heavily, without a word. It was Maheude who replied:
"To mass, sir? What for? Isn't the good God making fun of us? Look here! what has my littl
