Chapter 19 The orphan
Cosette woke up alone in the small room. The bed next to her was well made, as if no one had slept in it at all. She went down to the hall and found it crowded. At the table, travelers who had just arrived were eating, smoking and chatting with their loud voices. It all looked like the Thenardiers inn, yet everything was different. No ogre would come out of the kitchen ark to beat her and yell at her. No, instead she found Anicette at the counter, happily chatting with a young boy whom she had not seen yet. The innkeeper looked up, saw her, and gestured her to come. Instead of a mean look, she had a morning smile. But in all this world, she had not yet found her prince and wondered where he had gone.
"Good morning, Cosette, did you sleep well? This is Matthias, my little boy. Matthias, this is Cosette, she will stay with us for a while."
What do you mean, stay? Cosette did not understand what Anicette meant. Her prince would have told her if they were going to stay here a little longer. After all, it was not bad, the weather was nice, the food was good and the innkeeper was very beautiful. Matthias was a little boy with blond hair like his mother and he had freckles on his face. He cast a lively and playful look at Cosette and greeted her with a frank smile.
"Hey, Cosette! »
She blushed; she would have taken refuge in the coat of the inspector if he were there, but she found nothing but her own little hands to hide. Anicette began to laugh.
"Don't be shy. Come on! Are you hungry? Come, I'll give you some milk and a piece of bread. We have some raspberry jam this morning, I made it myself, it's not sweet and it's kind of bitter, but Matthias likes it, so I guess you do too." She took Cosette in her arms and put her on the counter. A few minutes later, Anicette brought her a cup of hot milk and a slice of bread with jam generously spread over it. "Eat, darling, take strength, Matthias will show you the surroundings today."
Cosette ate greedily and drank all her milk. For once, her stomach was full and she still had to go for a walk. She would have gone to bed if she could. Matthias then took her for a walk around the inn. In fact, it was more of a large farm. Hidden from view by the trees of the forest, there was a small barn and a vegetable garden. Matthias showed Cosette the two cows they had, "Here's Etoile, do you see all the small spots on her back? And that's Prunelle, she's very soft, touch there." Then, he showed Cosette the chicken coop, "do they have a name?" asked the child.
"No," replied Matthias, laughing, "there are too many, and most of them are going to end in our plates. Here, look, they laid eggs this morning. Hold the basket, I'll go get the eggs."
They left the egg basket in the shelter of an oak tree and continued their turn. Matthias led her on a path that sank a little into the woods surrounding the barn. "I have something for you, close your eyes," he took Cosette's hand and guided her.
"Tadam! » exclaimed Matthias.
Cosette opened her eyes. At her feet was a small lake bordered by roots and trees. It was more of a swamp, actually. Aquatic plants were protruding to the surface. You could hear toads croaking and you could see little tadpoles swarming by the water's edge.
"Once I caught a toad," Matthias boasted.
"Madame calls me mam'selle crapaud (miss toad)," replied Cosette.
The boy laughed, "Why?"
"I don't know. She's mean to me. But the inspector came to save me and we're going to live in a house together and he's going to be my daddy."
"But, the inspector left this morning, my mom told me."
"He left?"
Cosette's eyes filled with tears. "I want to see the inspector!" She began to weep under Matthias's confused face.
"Come Cosette, we're going to see Mom"
"No! It's not my mom, I want the inspector!" Cosette began to scream. Matthias took her in his arms and carried her to the inn. Cosette was always crying when they crossed the threshold of the back door. Anicette was in the kitchen, finishing packing when she heard them. She laid down everything she had in her hands and ran to see what was happening.
"She wants her inspector!" said Matthias as soon as he saw his mother's look. "I didn't do anything! I promise! »
"Cosette? " murmured Anicette softly, taking her in his arms. She sat down on a stool and began to rock her to calm her down.
"Where is the inspector?"
"I told her he left and she started crying!"
"Matthias, that's enough, please leave us."
When he left the room, Anicette took Cosette's face in her hands and dried her tears. "Listen, my little Cosette. The inspector's gone, but he'll be back, you'll see. He had things to do, but I promise he'll be back, okay?"
Cosette stared at her with suspicion. That promise had already been made to her. She could not remember the face or voice of the one who had made that same promise to her. Cosette had a vague recollection of a promise that had never been kept. Her savior had just left her and was she to believe this woman who told her that he was coming back for her?
"When?" cried Cosette.
"Soon, but you must behave, Cosette, and be patient."
"I want my inspector."
Anicette's eyes had also filled with tears. She hugged Cosette and rocked her until she calm down. "So, tell me what did Matthias show you?"