III—LA PROTESTATION
The Good Little Marie, a Sunday-school heroine of the true type,approaches the group and, gazing heavenward, remarks that it is wicked toplay with matches. The G. L. M. is of saintly presence,—so clean andwell groomed that you feel inclined to push her into a puddle. Her handsare not full of vulgar toys and sweetmeats, like those of the otherchildren, but are extended graciously as if she were in the habit ofpronouncing benedictions.
IV—INSOUCIANCE!
_Le petit_ Charles puts his evil little paw in his dangerous pockets anddraws out a wicked lucifer match, saying with abominable indifference,“Bah! what do we care? We’re going to build a fire, whatever you say.Come on, boys!”
V—UN PLAISIR DANGEREUX!
The boys “come on.” Led by “_le petit vilain_ Charles” they light adangerous little fire in a dangerous little spot. Their faces shine withunbridled glee. The G. L. M. retires to a distance with a few saintlyfollowers, meditating whether she shall run and tell her mother. “_Lepetit_ Paul,” an infant of three summers, draws near the fire, attractedby the cheerful blaze.
VI—MALHEUR ET INEXPÉRIENCE
_Le petit_ Paul somehow or other tumbles into the fire. Nothing but adesire to influence posterity as an awful example could have induced himto take this unnecessary step, but having walked in he stays in, like aninfant John Rogers. The bad boys are so horror-stricken it does notoccur to them to pull him out, and the G. L. M. is weeping over the sinof the world.
VII—TROP TARD!!
The male parent of _le petit_ Paul is seen rushing down an adjacent Alp.He leads a flock of frightened villagers who have seen the smoke andheard the wails of their offspring. As the last shred of _le petit_ Paulhas vanished in said smoke, the observer notes that the poor father isindeed “too late.”
VIII—DESESPOIR!!
The despair of all concerned would draw tears from the dryest eye. Onlyone person wears a serene expression, and that is the G. L. M., who isevidently thinking: “Perhaps they will listen to me the next time.”
Penelope's Postscripts Page 2
