"
"Well, what harm is there done?" asked Genevieve.
"What harm!" cried the joiner, in a passion; "you understand nothing
about it--you are a woman; but he--he knows well that a true workman
never gives up his own inventions for money, no more than a soldier
would give up his cross. That is his glory; he is bound to keep it
for the honour it does him! Ah! thunder! if I had ever made a
discovery, rather than put it up at auction I would have sold one of
my eyes! Don't you see, that a new invention is like a child to a
workman! he takes care of it, he brings it up, he makes a way for it
in the world, and it is only poor creatures who sell it."
Robert coloured a little.
"You will think differently, father," said he, "when you know why I
sold my plan."
"Yes, and you will thank him for it," added Genevieve, who could no
longer keep silence.
"Never!" replied Michael.
"But, wretched man!" cried she, "he only sold it for our sakes!"
The joiner looked at his wife and son with astonishment. It was
necessary to come to an explanation. The latter related how he had
entered into a negotiation with Master Benoit, who had positively
refused to sell his business unless one-half of the two thousand
francs was first paid down.
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