C'Était ainsi...

The narrative follows the installation and daily life of a newly steam-driven oil and flour works established by M. de Beule on former village property, showing how machinery reshapes buildings, routines, and local relations. Vivid scenes describe the spectacle of the engine's arrival and assembly, the ceaseless noise and smells of presses and mills, and a strict schedule of labor punctuated by small rituals like shared drinks and meals. The account traces villagers' mixed responses—resignation, adaptation, occasional gain—and sketches recurring figures such as a devoted servant, visiting managers, and a dog that signals the proprietor's arrival.