"
"Console yourself, Agathe," said Madame Descoings, "Joseph will turn
out a great man."
After this discussion, which was like all discussions, the widow's
friends united in giving her one and the same advice; which advice did
not in the least relieve her anxieties. They advised her to let Joseph
follow his bent.
"If he doesn't turn out a genius," said Du Bruel, who always tried to
please Agathe, "you can then get him into some government office."
When Madame Descoings accompanied the old clerks to the door she
assured them, at the head of the stairs, that they were "Grecian
sages."
"Madame Bridau ought to be glad her son is willing to do anything,"
said Claparon.
"Besides," said Desroches, "if God preserves the Emperor, Joseph will
always be looked after. Why should she worry?"
"She is timid about everything that concerns her children," answered
Madame Descoings. "Well, my good girl," she said, returning to Agathe,
"you see they are unanimous; why are you still crying?"
"If it was Philippe, I should have no anxiety. But you don't know what
goes on in that atelier; they have naked women!"
"I hope they keep good fires," said Madame Descoings.
A few days after this, the disasters of the retreat from Moscow became
known. Napoleon returned to Paris to organize fresh troops, and to ask
further sacrifices from the country. The poor mother was then plunged
into very different anxieties.
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