A Conversation
Eponine sighed and kicked at the street stones listlessly. She was hungry again, just as she was always, always hungry, and she could not think of a single person in the world who might give her money or food. Father wanted her to earn money, but of course how could a girl earn money when she was too hungry to think straight? Hungry, hungry, hungry hungry hungry--she kicked a larger stone and stopped in surprise as it made a different sort of thunk when it landed than stones falling on stones usually did. She looked up warily.
Oh, but it was her boy, her boy who had given her the money before! Eponine forgot that she had just kicked a stone at him, and smiled widely, showing her bits of teeth. He had been sympathetic last time, indeed he had. She knew that he liked the idea of giving kindness to a poor, broken-up street girl, and if that was what made him happy, she was glad to do it. Only she hoped he would generous to-day, for that would please her father, too, and things would be even better.
"M'sieu, good M'sieu! Do you remember me? I'm Eponine!" She smiled wider. "Do you remember?"
He looked at her with almost a frown, tilting his head. "I remember, girl. Eponine. Yes."
Good, he remembered! Her head spun a little with delight, or perhaps it was because she was so hungry. That would make him even more likely to be kind.
"Eponine, do you remember our conversation when I first met you?"
"'Course, M'sieu!" Oh, conversations! She didn't remember at all, but he was smiling, so that was good.
"Then I shall tell you that I made you a promise that day, that I should do my best to give you a better life and lift you out of your poverty by creating a world where you'll be an equal, and cared for."
"Cared for, M'sieu?" Her mother cared for her all right. Maybe not as good as a fine girl's maman took care of her, but it was well enough, and her mother still petted her hair, even, when she'd done a good day's work. That was nice, sometimes.
"Yes, Eponine. You shall be taken care of." He knelt down before her and put his hands on her bare shoulders. "You could be a fine woman. Would you like that?"
"Oh, yes!" She grinned. He was really being funny to-day, her boy. Suddenly she froze. His face had gone all upset, and she was very afraid he would change his mind after all. Then she realised he was weeping. Of all things! "M'sieu?"
"Be well, Eponine. Here's for you and your family." He gave her a couple of five franc pieces. Better than last time, even! she thought triumphantly, grabbing them and cuddling them close.
"Thank you, thank you, M'sieu! Thank you!"
"You're welcome," he said, touching her hair sadly, and then he turned and left, looking over his shoulder sometimes. Eponine was not paying attention. He'd just bought her food and probably a warm welcome home.
He was a funny, crazy one, her boy, but he was a good boy just the same.
Chapter Three.
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