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f work accomplished； assembled laughter； the pianoforte lesson being given by Bonne Maman； the tic…tac of the metronome； all the delicious household stir that pleased his heart。 He lived with his darlings； who certainly never could have guessed that they had him so near them。
Once； when Maranne was out； M。 Joyeuse keeping faithful watch over the studio and its new apparatus； heard two little strokes given on the ceiling of the apartment below； two separate； very distinct strokes； then a cautious pattering of fingers； like the scamper of mice。 The friendliness of the photographer with his neighbours sufficiently authorized these communications like those of prisoners。 But what did they mean？ How reply to what seemed a call？ Quite at hazard； he repeated the two strokes； the light tapping； and the conversation ended there。 On the return of Andre Maranne he learned the explanation of the incident。 It was very simple。 Sometimes； in the course of the day； the young ladies below； who only saw their neighbour in the evening； would inquire how things were going with him； whether any clients were coming in。 The signal he had heard meant； 〃Is business good to…day？〃 And M。 Joyeuse had replied； obeying only an instinct without any knowledge； 〃Fairly well for the season。〃 Although young Maranne was very red as he made this affirmation； M。 Joyeuse accepted his word at once。 Only this idea of frequent communications between the two households made him afraid for the secrecy of his position； and from that time forward he cut himself off from what he used to call his 〃artistic days。〃 Moreover； the moment was approaching when he would no longer be able to conceal his misfortune； the end of the month arriving； complicated by the ending of the year。
Paris was already assuming the holiday appearance which it wears during the last weeks of December。 In the way of national or popular rejoicing it had little left but that。 The follies of the Carnival died with Gavarni； the religious festivals with their peals of bells which one scarcely hears amid the noise of the streets confine themselves within their heavy church…doors； the 15th of August has never been anything but the Saint Charles…the…Great of the barracks； but Paris has maintained its observance of New Year's Day。
From the beginning of December an immense childishness begins to permeate the town。 You see hand…carts pass laden with gilded drums； wooden horses； playthings by the dozen。 In the industrial quarters； from top to bottom of the five…storied houses； the old private residences still standing in that low…lying district； where the warehouses have such lofty ceilings and majestic double doors； the nights are passed in the making up of gauze flowers and spangles； in the gumming of labels upon satin…lined boxes； in sorting； marking； packing； the thousand details of the toy； that great branch of commerce on which Paris places the seal of its elegance。 There is a smell about of new wood； of fresh paint； glossy varnish； and； in the dust of garrets； on the wretched stairways where the poor leave behind them all the dirt through which they have passed； there lie shavings of rosewood； scraps of satin and velvet； bits of tinsel； all the /debris/ of the luxury whose end is to dazzle the eyes of children。 Then the shop…windows are decorated。 Behind the panes of clear glass the gilt of presentation…books rises like a glittering wave under the gaslight； the stuffs of various and tempting colours display their brittle and heavy folds； while the young ladies behind the counter； with their hair dressed tapering to a point and with a ribbon beneath their collar； tie up the article； little finger in the air； or fill bags of moire into which the sweets fall like a rain of pearls。
But； over against this kind of well…to…do business； established in its own house； warmed； withdrawn behind its rich shop…front； there is installed the improvised commerce of those wooden huts； open to the wind of the streets； of which the double row gives to the boulevards the aspect of some foreign mall。 It is in these that you find the true interest and the poetry of New Year's gifts。 Sumptuous in the district of the Madeleine； well…to…do towards the Boulevard Saint…Denis； of more 〃popular〃 order as you ascend to the Bastille； these little sheds adapt themselves according to their public； calculate their chances of success by the more or less well…lined purses of the passers…by。 Among these； there are set up portable tables； laden with trifling objects； miracles of the Parisian trade that deals in such small things； constructed out of nothing； frail and delicate； and which the wind of fashion sometimes sweeps forward in its great rush by reason of their very triviality。 Finally； along the curbs of the footways； lost in the defile of the carriage traffic which grazes their wandering path； the orange…girls complete this peripatetic commerce； heaping up the sun… coloured fruit beneath their lanterns of red paper； crying 〃La Valence〃 amid the fog； the tumult； the excessive haste which Paris displays at the ending of its year。
Ordinarily； M。 Joyeuse was accustomed to make one of the busy crowd which goes and comes with the jingle of money in its pocket and parcels in every hand。 He would wander about with Bonne Maman at his side on the lookout for New Year's presents for his girls； stop before the booths of the small dealers； who are accustomed to do much business and excited by the appearance of the least important customer； have based upon this short season hopes of extraordinary profits。 And there would be colloquies； reflections； an interminable perplexity to know what to select in that little complex brain of his； always ahead of the present instant and of the occupation of the moment。
This year； alas！ nothing of that kind。 He wandered sadly through the town in its rejoicing； time seeming to hang all the heavier for the activity around him； jostled； hustled； as all are who stand obstructing the way of active folk； his heart beating with a perpetual fear； for Bonne Maman for some days past； in conversation with him at table； had been making significant allusions with regard to the New Year's presents。 Consequently he avoided finding himself alone with her and had forbidden her to come to meet him at the office at closing…time。 But in spite of all his efforts he knew the moment was drawing near when concealment would be impossible and his grievous secret be unveiled。 Was； then； a very formidable person； Bonne Maman； that M。 Joyeuse should stand in such fear of her？ By no means。 A little stern； that was all； with a pretty smile that instantly forgave one。 But M。 Joyeuse was a coward； timid from his birth； twenty years of housekeeping with a masterful wife； 〃a member of the nobility；〃 having made him a slave for ever； like those convicts who； after their imprisonment is over； have to undergo a period of surveillance。 And for him this meant all his life。
One evening the Joyeuse family was gathered in the little drawing… room； last relic of its splendour； still containing two upholstered chairs； many crochet decorations； a piano； two lamps crowned with little green shades； and a what…not covered with bric…a…brac。
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