Page 673 - les-miserables

CHAPTER VII

COSETTE SIDE BY SIDE

WITH THE STRANGER

IN THE DARK

Cosette, as we have said, was not frightened.
The man accosted her. He spoke in a voice that was grave
and almost bass.
‘My child, what you are carrying is very heavy for you.’
Cosette raised her head and replied:—
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Give it to me,’ said the man; ‘I will carry it for you.’
Cosette let go of the bucket-handle. The man walked
along beside her.
‘It really is very heavy,’ he muttered between his teeth.
Then he added:—
‘How old are you, little one?’
‘Eight, sir.’
‘And have you come from far like this?’
‘From the spring in the forest.’
‘Are you going far?’

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