Number one at school, Marcel prepares for scholarship exams, and dreams of his beloved hills. The family goes there at Christmas, an intense but fleeting happiness. It is a long road to the hills. They meet Bouzigue, the canal guard and one of Joseph's former students. Thanks to a key he lends them, the Pagnols take a short cut through the grounds of the castle ; illegal, but a saving of two hours ! They are caught, alas !