Read "The Joy of Life" by Émile Zola online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
On the following Saturday, when Louise, who had come on a two months' visit to the Chanteaus, stepped on to the terrace, she found the family there. The hot August day was drawing to a close, and a cool breeze rose up from the sea. Abbé Horteur had already made his appearance, and was playing draughts with Chanteau. Madame Chanteau sat near them, embroidering a handkerchief; and, a few yards further away, Pauline stood in front of a stone seat on which she had placed four children from the village, two little lads and two little girls.
'What! you have got here already! ' cried Madame Chanteau. 'I was just folding up my work to go and meet you at the cross-roads.'