ABOUT nine o’clock
`` _ Mon Dieu _ ! '' said Marianne to her husband , when she found herself out of doors , able to breathe , and happy once more now that she was leaning on his arm ; `` why , they are quite mad , the people in that house . '' `` Yes , '' Mathieu responded , `` they are mad , no doubt ; but we must pity them , for they know not what happiness is . '' ABOUT nine o'clock one fine cold morning , a few days afterwards , as Mathieu , bound for his office , a little late through having lingered near his wife , was striding hastily across the garden which separated the pavilion from the factory yard , he met Constance and Maurice , who , clad in furs , were going out for a walk in the sharp air . Beauchene , who was accompanying them as far as the gate , bareheaded and ever sturdy and victorious , gayly exclaimed to his wife : `` Give the youngster a good spin on his legs ! Let him take in all the fresh air he can . There 's nothing like that and good food to make a man . ''