This was a complicated operation, which was rendered the more difficult
by the extreme repugnance that the child displayed. He struggled and
wriggled on the platform of the weighing scales to such a degree that it
was impossible to arrive at his correct weight, in order to ascertain how
much this had increased since the previous occasion. As a rule, the
increase varied from six to seven ounces a week. The father generally
lost patience over the operation, and the mother had to intervene.

"Here! put the scales on the table near my bed, and give me the little
one in his napkin. We will see what the napkin weighs afterwards."

At this moment, however, the customary morning invasion took place. The
other four children, who were beginning to know how to dress themselves,
the elder ones helping the younger, and Zoe lending a hand at times,
darted in at a gallop, like frolicsome escaped colts. Having thrown
themselves on papa's neck and rushed upon mamma's bed to say
good-morning, the boys stopped short, full of admiration and interest at
the sight of Gervais in the scales. Rose, however, still rather uncertain
on her legs, caught hold of the scales in her impatient efforts to climb
upon the bed, and almost toppled everything over. "I want to see! I want
to see!" she cried in her shrill voice.

At this the others likewise wished to meddle, and already stretched out
their little hands, so that it became necessary to turn them out of
doors.

"Now kindly oblige me by going to play outside," said Mathieu. "Take your
hats and remain under the window, so that we may hear you."