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The good dame hastened to procure Lucy some refreshment to

recruit her exhausted powers; she put some dry branches under a

kettle which she replaced over the fire, and in which swam a good

fowl; after having suffered it to boil a moment, she filled a

plate with the soup, and offered it to Lucy, congratulating

herself that the affair had happened on a day, when, as she said,

"the cat was not on the hearth." "It is a day of feasting for all

the world," added she, "except for those unfortunate creatures

who can hardly obtain bread of vetches, and a polenta of millet;

they hope, however, to receive something from our charitable

cardinal. As for us, thank heaven, we are not in that situation;

between the trade of my husband and a small piece of land, we

manage to live comfortably. Eat, then, poor child, with a good

appetite; the fowl will be done presently, and you shall have

something better." She then set about making preparations for

dinner for the family.