THE RUM0RS

When Mother Van Hove returned from the pasture, fifteen minuteslater, her orders had all been carried out. Pier was in thepasture, the hens were shut up for the evening, and the pig, whichhad been squealing with hunger, was row grunting withsatisfaction over her evening meal; Fidel was gnawing a bone, andFather Van Hove was already washing his arms at the pump, besidethe kitchen entrance.