But at that moment the donkey refused to go and the children jumped down to pull at the beast, poking and whacking him as hard as they could; then Meaulnes, much put out, pretended he had made a mistake ...
Mais à ce moment, l’âne ne voulant plus marcher, les enfants descendirent pour le piquer, le tirer, cogner sur lui tant qu’ils purent ; alors Meaulnes, déçu, prétendit s’être trompé…