C. Thème

1. When Mérimée saw Mateo Falcone, he seemed to him to be fifty years old at the most. 2. At night Falcone could use his firearms as well as in the daytime. 3. He was said to be an obliging friend and a dangerous enemy. 4. If he had not got rid of a rival he could not have got married. 5. One autumn day he went out early to go to visit one of his flocks. 6. Little Fortunato wished to go with him, but his father refused, because someone had to stay behind to take care of the house. 7. Mateo had been absent for some hours when his son saw a man who had just been shot. 8. The man approached Fortunato and said, “ Hide me, for I can go no further.” 9. “ What will you give me if I hide you ? ” said the child.