Les Misérables, v. 3/5: Marius

  "What's the matter? what's the matter? O Lord to God! the gate is beingbroken down, and the house broken into!"

  The kicks continued, and the old woman puffed.

  "Is that the way houses are treated at present?"

  All at once she stopped, for she had recognized the gamin.

  "Why, it is that Satan!"

  "Hilloh! it's the old woman," said the boy. "Good evening, my dearBurgonmuche, I have come to see my ancestors."

  The old woman answered with a composite grimace, an admirableimprovisation of hatred deriving advantage from decrepitude andugliness, which was unfortunately lost in the darkness,--"There'snobody here, scamp!"

  "Nonsense," the boy said. "Where's father?"

  "At La Force."

  "Hilloh! and mother?"

  "At St. Lazare."

  "Very fine! and my sisters?"

  "At the Madelonnettes."

  The lad scratched the back of his ear, looked at Mame Bougon, and said,"Ah!"

  Then he turned on his heels, and a moment later the old woman, who wasstanding in the gateway, heard him singing in his clear young voice, ashe went off under the elms which were quivering in the winter breeze,--

  "Le Roi Coupdesabot S'en allait à la chasse, À la chasse aux corbeaux. Monté sur des échasses, Quand on passait dessous, On lui payait deux sous."

  END OF PART THIRD.