midday
Yes , Jean Servien could hear the trees along the _ Quai _ , the waters of the river , the very stones of the parapet calling to him : `` We know you ; you are the little boy his aunt , in a peasant 's cap , used to bring here to see us in former days . But we shall never see your aunt again , nor her print shawl , nor her umbrella which she opened against the sun ; for she is old now and does not take her nephew walks any more , for he is a grown man now . Yes , the child is grown into a man and has been hurt by life , while he was running after shadows . '' One day , in the midday interval , he was informed that a visitor was asking for him in the parlour ; the news filled him with delight , for he was very young and still counted on the possibilities of the unknown . In the parlour he found Monsieur Tudesco , wearing his waistcoat of ticking and holding a peaked hat in one hand . `` My young friend , '' began the Italian , `` I learned from your respected father 's apprentice that you were confined in this sanctuary of studious learning . I venture to say your fortune is overcast with clouds , at least I fear it is .