Ewans

"Ewans," said Jean, as he pushed a pebble along one of the lines drawn in charcoal on the stone coping, "Ewans, you must find it tiresome to be a boarder?"

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

But Ewans had already scampered across the yard, leaving a dusty furrow behind him.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Madame Ewans pouted and declared she could not receive him, whereupon the maid spoke a few words in a very peremptory whisper.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Ewans, had put her son to boarding-school, and who was mixed up in a case of illicit commissions, in the time of Louis-Philippe.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Jean nearly gave himself cramp in his determined efforts not to touch with his own the knees of Madame Ewans 'who dozed on the back seat of the conveyance.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

The moment the ropes are made fast, Madame Ewans springs on to the landing-stage and makes straight for the shrilling of the clarinettes and thunder of the big drums, steering her little charges through the press with the handle of her sunshade.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Madame Ewans frowned and replied with a curl of the lips:

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Servien, who felt interested in Madame Ewans because of the superb boxes of chocolates she used to bring to school for her boy, put another question:

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Madame Ewans showed the greatest interest in her son's success, urging him to give the handle a good vigorous turn.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884

Madame Ewans rose from the piano, patted her pale flaxen hair in place with a pretty gesture, and gave a sidelong look in the mirror as she passed.

The Aspirations of Jean Servien Anatole France 1884