Two unexpected events, the one ridiculous, the other serious, occurred almost at the same time. Gaston was one morning trying a horse, he had just purchased, in the avenue leading to the house, when a little boy, half covered in rags and almost naked, approached him resolutely and stopped before his horse. It was Pierrot, the turkey keeper. Gaston did not recognize him, and thinking he was begging, threw a handful of coppers into the boy's cap. Pierrot pocketed the money, but instead of moving away, he ran after the horseman and once more placed himself in front of his horse a few steps farther on. Gaston called to him two or three times to get out of the way, but in vain; Pierrot still followed and placed himself in the horse's path.