The Fete at Coqueville by Emile Zola, Fiction, Literary, Classics 12+

📓 Alone, in the midst of topsy-turvy Coqueville, Delphin preserved the laughter of a love-sick boy, who scorned the rest, provided Margot was for him. He followed her zigzags as one follows hares. Very wise, despite his simple look, he wanted the cure to marry them, so that his bliss might last forever.One evening, in a byway where he was watching for her, Margot at last raised her hand. But she stopped, all red; for without waiting for the slap, he had seized the hand that threatened him and kissed it furiously. As she trembled, he said to her in a low voice: "I love you. Won't you have me?""Never!" she cried, in rebellion.He shrugged his shoulders, then with an air, calm and tender, "Pray do not say that -- we shall be very comfortable together, we two. You will see how nice it is."